The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is all set to conduct their Annual General Meeting in Ahmedabad on Thursday and there is going to be a lot on the agenda namely about charting the course of India’s domestic cricket amidst the coronavirus pandemic as well as plans for IPL 2021 and IPL 2022. In the beginning, it was expected that IPL 2021 would have two new teams with reports suggesting that Salman Khan and Malayalam film superstar Mohanlal both interested in being team owners. However, that seems to have been stalled for the time being if the latest media reports are to be believed.
According to a report in The Hindu, the BCCI is set to approve the launch of two new teams but the office-bearers have been advised that only eight teams should be persisted with due to the current economic climate. The BCCI believes that due to the economic situations prevailing due to the coronavirus pandemic, they will not get the best deal from the bidders and the broadcasters. The addition of two new teams will take the tally to 10 and it will require a total overhaul of the logistics, scheduling and planning. This is one factor that is playing on the mind of the BCCI when it comes to expanding the IPL.
No mega auction?
If this move is reported, then there is doubt over whether the mega auction will also take place. IPL 2021 will see all players, except the marquee ones, go into the auction pool but this might not happen in IPL 2021. If two new teams are being slated for IPL 2022, then they will probably have the mega auction in 2022. IPL 2021 might see a small mini-auction which has been the norm every single year.
There is also going to be a discussion on whether IPL 2021 will take place in India in the window of April to May. The coronavirus situation in India is coming down for the moment and England are set to become the first team to tour India since the pandemic. If that series is conducted well, then IPL 2021 might be played in India by following the necessary coronavirus protocols.
