The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is likely to stick with more realistic eight teams in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The board is likely to add two new franchises in the IPL universe from the 2022 edition of the tournament.
Meanwhile, reports had emerged that Sourav Ganguly & Co will add a couple of teams in IPL from the next season. The decision to add new teams in the 2021 IPL which is barely three and a half months away, is perceived to be a hurried one. A decision to this effect will be final only after it is decided in the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the BCCI scheduled in Ahmedabad on December 24.
IPL 2021 to go ahead with eight teams
The addition of the new teams is still a part of the agenda in the AGM which emerged soon after IPL 2020 culminated. The members will look to seek approval for the new franchise but will restrict themselves from floating an immediate tender seeking bid.
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“The BCCI could call for the bids in February or March or April – whenever they think the time is right. The adding of new franchises, say stakeholders, will also add value to the 2021 edition once it becomes a talking point. That’s the line of thought as of now,” those tracking developments told TOI.
Meanwhile, if the tournament continues with eight team it means there would be no auction ahead of IPL 2021. The BCCI will also have more time to sell the title sponsorship rights – which were sold to Dream 11 ahead of IPL 2013 which was played in UAE.
“Two new franchises will obviously have their own share of value when the media rights tender comes along. Also, two more things: First, the central revenue pool for the 2021 season won’t be diluted, which means the franchises will be happy; Second, once again 60 matches will be held, which means lesser double-headers, so the broadcaster will be happy,” sources told TOI.
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