Reports: IPL 2022 mega auction likely to be shifted from Bengaluru due to rise in COVID cases

BCCI recently took a tough call to postpone the Ranji Trophy 2021-22 season and all the domestic tournaments after the surge in the number of Covid-19 cases. The rise in cases had created panic among the states and the restrictions imposed might well take Bengaluru out of the equation for the mega auction for IPL 2022. February 12 and 13 were the dates scheduled earlier and BCCI might be planning to shift it to different venue now.

Any fresh Covid restrictions will definitely hamper the plans of BCCI as they have not yet finalized the hotels for the mega event. The three cities that have been on standby for the auction are Kolkata, Kochi, and Mumbai. The rise in cases has left these cities in jeopardy and the dates could be shifted like the postponement of the Ranji Trophy. This could be a major disappointment for the fans who had a lot of hope and excitement for the upcoming IPL edition.

BCCI to take a call on mega auction venue soon

A BCCI source informed the media about the assessment of the conditions and the restrictions could well mean that the dates could be shifted. The Covid-19 restrictions played a major role last year as well with the IPL 2021 having to be suspended in between. The remainder of season took place in UAE with the surge in cases in India and it was played behind closed doors.

“Some things are out of our hands and we must wait. Bookings and stuff will not be an issue if we have an idea about the restrictions. We are closely monitoring the situation and are in talks with the state associations. If we need to move the venue, it can be done on short notice,” a senior BCCI official said according to Zee News.

As many as six players have been tested positive for Covid-19 in the Kolkata Ranji squad alongside Mumbai’s Shivam Dube which prompted BCCI to postpone the tournament.