The 2022 edition of IPL will be a 10-team affair with the addition of two new franchises-Lucknow and Ahmedabad in the cash rich league.
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The BCCI is planning to a two-day mega auction wherein the world’s biggest players will go under the hammer. This could be the last mega auctions as most of the original teams want it to be discontinued. The BCCI has not confirmed the dates yet but Cricbuzz believes that the dates for the auctions are February 12 and 13 next year.
According to Cricbuzz, the IPL officials have called all the franchises on Thursday (December 23) to inform them the dates of the mega auction.
As per sources the preparations for the auctions are underway. The mega auctions will be held in India unless the situation of Covid-19 in the country worsens. Earlier it was also reported that the mega auctions might be held in UAE.
Sanjiv Goenka owned Lucknow franchise and CVC Group-owned Ahmedabad franchise are set to announce their three draft picks ahead of Christmas. But the deadline could be extended as CVC Capitals are yet to get the clearance from BCCI. The Ahmedabad based franchise is set to get clearance from BCCI in the coming days. CVC Capitals will remain as the owner of Ahmedabad franchise.
This might be the last mega auctions held as most of the original franchises feel conducting a mega auction every three years affects the balance and the composition of the team.
Additionally, the BCCI is planning to conduct a meeting with all the franchise owners in order to discuss the ‘Plan B’ for the upcoming season of IPL. Earlier in 2021, the IPL was halted midway due to the pandemic. The tournament was divided in two legs and the second leg was held in UAE.
The Board is planning to have the whole tournament in just one city only in India on a home and away basis.
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