With the successful completion of IPL 2020 in the United Arab Emirates amid the Coronavirus challenge, all eyes are now on the mega IPL auction that will likely take place next year. The most recent reports suggest that the Cricket Control Board in India (BCCI) is likely to go ahead with the mega auction as planned. The biggest talking point of the 2021 auction is the possibility of a new ninth team joining.
What is the IPL mega auction?
In mega auctions, all franchises have the option to retain three major players and two more through Right To Match (RTM) options. However, there is still no clarity on the retention policy for the 2021 mega auction.
Previously, some news reports claimed that all players will return to the auction pool and that franchises will have to build their teams from scratch. However, that doesn’t seem feasible, as it will seriously affect the brand equity of successful teams like the Mumbai Indians and the Chennai Super Kings.
What about the team from the ninth IPL?
As reported ahead of IPL 2020, the next mega auction is likely to see the addition of a ninth team. News reports have claimed that the ninth team will be from Ahmedabad, with the Sardar Patel stadium as its stadium, and also that some large companies are interested in buying the new franchise.
Unconfirmed reports indicated that the Adani Group, owned by Gautam Adani, could be among the first. However, there have been no further updates on it. Gujarat was previously represented by the Gujarat Lions in the IPL, replacing the suspended Chennai Super Kings. But, the franchise existed for just two years before CSK returned to the league.
When will the mega IPL 2021 auction take place?
If COVID-19 hadn’t had a massive voice, the auction was scheduled to take place in December of this year. But since the pandemic has disrupted all schedules, the auction is unlikely to take place before next year. BCCI has not yet submitted an official confirmation on the mega IPL 2021 auction.
Posted Nov 12, 2020, 11:20 a.m. IST
.
