The BCCI has reportedly started preparations for the upcoming IPL season, as it informally informed the eight franchises of its plan to hold a mega player auction in 2021 before the 14th edition of the T20 tournament begins. Also read – Australian cricketers will wear an indigenous jersey during the T20I series against India
However, the biggest news to come out is that an unidentified corporate giant has expressed strong interest in buying a franchise that will in all likelihood be based in Ahmedabad. Also read: Gautam Gambhir wants Rohit Sharma to replace Virat Kohli as captain of India’s T20I
In the event that a ninth team joins the IPL pool, the auction will be required. Also Read: IPL 2020 Final, MI vs DC: From MVP to Emerging Player, Here’s the Full List of Award Winners
However, no formal communication has yet been made in this regard.
“The BCCI has told us to be ready for an auction in a couple of months,” The New Indian Express quoted a franchise official as saying. “Although it is not official, that they have asked us to be ready means that they will go ahead as planned. Also, with the arrival of a new team, it makes sense to have an auction now instead of putting it off for a year. “
As part of the auction, BCCI may continue with the player retention policy and the Right to Match card to allow teams to keep their star players while their brand equity is built around them.
“The retention policy should continue even if a new team comes in because at this stage, it would not be wise to have all the players in the auction pool. The teams will have to commit to the value of the brand that is based on its star players, ”the English newspaper quoted another franchise official.
There were already plans for an auction for next year, but with the 2020 IPL delayed and ending on November 10, there were suggestions that it be removed as there will only be a six-month gap between seasons 13 and 14.
However, the BCCI would have made a decision on this and will hold the auction in January or mid-February to allow the eight teams to plan accordingly.
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