IPL 2021 New Team – After all the “this and that” around the inclusion of two new teams in IPL, BCCI has dropped a massive development on the matter. The fourteenth season of Indian Premier League will be played with existing eight teams, reported Times of India. The news comes ahead of BCCI’s Annual General Meeting on December 24.
Notably, InsideSport in its report on December 19 had pointed out that BCCI was a divided house on the feasibility of new teams for IPL 2021.
According to one of the BCCI official InsideSport spoke to, ‘time is too short for 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″
Another old BCCI functionary also is not comfortable with the idea of new IPL teams before 2022. According to this official, “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’.
“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.
IPL 2021 New Team: BCCI AGM to take final decision
Although the idea of introduction of new teams might be put on hold, the industry is clearly looking forward to the tenders being floated for new franchises with keen interest.
“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,” TOI reported.
IPL 2021: Adani and Goenka will be in fray for the new IPL teams
According to reports doing the rounds, Adani Group owned by Gautam Adani and RPSG owned by Sanjeev Goenka will be the biggest contenders for the 9th IPL team. Adani’s in past have openly declared their interest in owning the IPL team. With Ahmedabad now boasting of the biggest cricket stadium in the country, their interest will grow manifolds.
On the other hand, Goenka had owned IPL team in the past as an owner of Rising Pune Supergiants for two years and will surely throw their hat in the ring when BCCI comes out with tender.