IPL-2022

Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL

A week into the new year, all eyes are slowly but surely turning towards the Indian Premier League. This is because IPL 2022 is not going to be anything like the previous 14 seasons. Not only will there be two new franchises in Lucknow and Ahmedabad that will compete in the competition, making it a 10-team affair, but several big names are also all set to go under the hammer with this being a mega auction ahead of the competition.

And now it is being learnt that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is apparently looking at a Plan B for the forthcoming IPL 2022 amid the rise of the Coronavirus cases in India and a scary third wave predicted in this part of the world. The Indian Cricket Board has already postponed the domestic cricket schedule including the Ranji Trophy, the board is planning to advance the dates of the competition with all the matches being planned in Mumbai.

This plan is being considered to reduce the travelling between venues and hence the risk of spreading the infection. In addition, Mumbai has several venues which could host the matches and at this stage, at least two options are being considered- 10 centres or the three in Mumbai- the Wankhede Stadium, the Brabourne Stadium and the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai.

Moreover, from what the reports state, it looks like the Board is not too keen on going back to the UAE where the second half of IPL 2021 and the entire IPL 2020 was staged successfully. In addition, the rationale behind advancing the matches by a week from a scheduled April 2 start to March 25 is being considered since the organisers are aiming at fewer double-header matches, especially the day matches.

IPL 2022 auctions could be deferred due to CVC issue

In addition, while one of the two franchises Lucknow can begin functioning, CVC Capital who have bought the Ahmedabad franchise is stuck since they are yet to sign an agreement for the franchise after it was revealed that they had links to a UK based betting company which is illegal in the Indian territory.

The legal tussle could take some time and hence the auction scheduled on February 12, 13 could be pushed back by a week or ten days.