Reports: BCCI planning to add another franchise from the 2020 season

If the plan goes ahead, Ahmedabad is likely to have its own franchise.

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IPL 2018 BCCI Jammu and Kashmir
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IPL trophy. (Photo Source: Twitter)

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the biggest franchise-based tournament in the world. Recently the league was in news for the trade window and the impending auctions that will take place next month in Kolkata. And, now if the reports are to be believed, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is preparing to expand the eight-franchise-based tournament to a nine-team affair and the franchise could be added to the league as early as next year, making it a nine-team event till 2022.

According to the reports, the BCCI could offer a whopping base price of US$300m (approx. Rs 2000 Crore) to the new franchise, with an understanding that more than buyers could look to pounce on the opportunity. There are also speculations that Sardar Patel Stadium in Motera; one which is expected to boast of a crowd of 1.10 lakh could get its own IPL franchise.

“Nine teams work well until a new FTP can fall in place (2023) and BCCI can introduce the 10th team. There are buyers. That’s not the point. But are there enough buyers coming to the table where bidding can be a competitive process? For one franchise? Yes, For two? Let’s see,” sources were quoted as saying by The Times of India.

“There will be takers, given the following for cricket in Ahmedabad and the resources available there. So, if a tender is brought out for one franchise right now, there’ll certainly be a great amount of interest and will set a benchmark for the future,” the report further stated.

Other issues BCCI are dealing with

This is not the first time that the BCCI has tried to added teams to the eight-franchise model. Back in 2011, Kochi Tuskers and Sahara Pune Warriors were added, only to be removed a few seasons later. And, among the issues to be discussed by the BCCI will involve the aforementioned franchise, who all are under arbitration, with the Tuskers reportedly to be paid over Rs 1500 crore.

“Will Kochi Tuskers be offered money or a franchise? It’s a big question. Regardless of whether BCCI is in a strong position in some cases or on the backfoot on some, the point is, legal cases are on and smoothly settling them before beginning afresh is the right thing to do,” the sources suggested.  The final call on the issue will be taken at the boards’ Annual General Meeting (AGM) on December 1.

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