BCCI to add two new franchises in IPL 2022 instead of IPL 2021

The news of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) expanding the Indian Premier League (IPL) by adding two more franchises and making it a 10-team league rather than 8 teams have been doing rounds for quite some time now. However, it is understood that the Indian board is not keen on adding two new teams and conducting mega-auctions ahead of IPL 2021.

Instead, BCCI will be approving the addition of two new teams for IPL 2022. This means that only 8 teams will feature in the 2021 edition while the Indian board will invite fresh bids for the addition of two more teams post the 14th edition of IPL. A 10-team T20 extravaganza can see the light of day from the 2022 season only.

This idea has been inspired by the fact that the Board has practically very less time left before the commencement of IPL 2021 in April-May 2021 and it would be difficult to take all the stakeholders and franchise owners in confidence along with inviting tenders and conducting mega-auctions.

“Time is too short for the introduction of the new teams for IPL in 2021. Tendering, players auction and most importantly getting all the stakeholders on the same page will be really challenging in short-time span. We are of the view, any addition to the team should only happen for IPL 2022,” a BCCI official spoke as quoted by Inside Sport.

BCCI to release the tenders for new teams in April 2021

“Our broadcast rights deal with Star will end by IPL 2021. After the end of the cycle we should introduce new teams so that the broadcast rights and other commercial partnership values can be increased. Final decision now will be taken in AGM only and according to me the plan to increase teams will be shelved this year,” the official added.

Another BCCI official stated that conducting a tournament having approximately 94 matches would be a herculean task in 2021 considering the health situation in India owing to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

“Ten teams will mean 94 matches in the home and away format. That implies a bigger window for the tournament, which may be tough given the current situation,” said another BCCI official.

Also, BCCI will present the proposal of expanding the tournament in the AGM meeting to be held on December 24th and if the idea gets approved, they will introduce two new teams in 2022 only. Also, tenders for the new teams will be released either in the month of April or May 2021.