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BCCI playing waiting game on inclusion of two new teams in IPL

BCCI has decided to take more time to initiate the process of adding two more teams to IPL from next season.

The plans of bringing two new franchises in the mix for next year’s IPL have been underway since the end of IPL 2020. It was previously reported that 2021 could see new teams, but BCCI confirmed in December that the tournament will have ten teams from 2022.

Due to the Covid-19 outbreak last year, BCCI had to postpone its plans of making IPL a 10-team tournament again. The still ongoing pandemic and requirement for continuous market analysis, the decision to include more teams has been stalled for now. 

This report confirms that BCCI’s first priority is the successful completion of IPL 2021, which was suspended midway due to emergence of Covid-19 cases in almost half of the franchises. The remainder of IPL 2021 has been moved to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and will be played from September 19 to October 15, 2021. While talking to TOI, BCCI secretary Arun Dhumal gave an update on the situation surrounding new teams.

 “We are looking to have two franchises in next year’s IPL but we will have to see the market and also assess the situation prevailing in the country. We can’t guarantee a timeline because there are a lot of things we have to consider.”

Over the past few months, there has been a lot of speculation surrounding the names of the two franchises expected to enter the tournament next year. Cities like Ahmedabad and Lucknow are being considered frontrunners to become the host franchises. However, BCCI will perform all the necessary protocols and a tender will be released, followed by a fair bidding process. Adani and Goenka groups are reportedly in the mix to get two teams.

The Indian cricket board also plans to have a mega-auction before next year’s IPL, which will be of utmost importance with the inclusion of two new teams. There will be more matches, action, drama, and an even bigger cricketing spectacle for the fans. BCCI will get more revenue with better broadcast deals and other revenue streams with two new teams.

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