BCCI is all set to add two new teams in the coming edition of the IPL. The BCCI and the IPL said that they will be presiding over a meeting over the addition of two new teams in the cash-rich league, during the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) on December 24.
As per a report in Insidesport, Ahmedabad leads the shortlist of cities that could feature in the 14th edition of the league while one franchise from Lucknow or Kanpur could be another if the decision to add two franchises at once is made.
The last time IPL saw a 10-team tournament was back in 2011 when Kochi Tuskers Kerala and Pune Warriors India were inducted into the tournament along with the regular eight teams.
“Time constraints are there but the full auction will be in the interest of everyone. IPL Governing Council will formally decide on this in next 3-4 weeks and communicate to everyone concerned”, a BCCI source was quoted as saying by Insidesport.
BCCI All Set To Add Two New IPL Teams
The Adani group and the Goenka groups are the firm favourites to own the two new teams. Adani Group is owned by Gautam Adani while RPSG is owned by Sanjeev Goenka, who previously owned the Rising Pune Supergiant.
With the next IPL just a few months away it will be interesting to see if the IPL adds just one or both the teams in the next edition.
“I would be surprised if the valuation of the new franchise, whenever it comes on board, is anything less than Rs 300-400 crores per year,” said a former BCCI official, familiar with the ongoing developments.
The addition of two new teams will also see changes in the international calendar with the tournament hosting more matches and more days to finish. It will also see the addition of 16 more overseas players. There are talks of making the IPL a 94-match season with the two new teams coming in. This would also let the home and away format stay intact as well.