Reports: IPL 2021 likely to be played with 8 teams; two new franchises will be added in 2022

It was speculated that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is planning to expand the Indian Premier League (IPL) by adding two more franchises and making it a 10-team league rather than 8 teams. This also meant that a mega auction was on cards before the 2021 edition of the Indian league.

However, it is now reported that BCCI has decided to postpone the idea of adding two more teams to 2022. 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.

The final decision will be taken at BCCI’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) which will take place in Ahmedabad on December 24. “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 Times of India.

Many franchises not happy with the addition of two new teams

Also, it is learned that many teams aren’t in the favour of adding two more teams but BCCI is keen to expand the tournament as they are getting queries from a lot of corporate houses. A delay in the expansion will be a huge relief for the Indian board as they would get enough time to ponder on the bids for the new teams.

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Also, considering that the IPL 2020 was conducted in October-November in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), it will be difficult for the authorities to organise the mega-auction for IPL 2021 which is scheduled in India in April-May 2021.

“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 added.