The BCCI has decided to hold the IPL 2027 auction in India, breaking from the recent trend of staging the event overseas. The decision was among the key takeaways from the IPL Governing Council meeting held on Tuesday (September 15).
The auction will be a mini-auction, with the BCCI and IPL opting to bring the event back to India after three consecutive overseas editions.
Following the 2023 auction in Kochi, the event was held in Dubai, Jeddah and Abu Dhabi. Sources in the know have told Cricbuzz that the mini-auction this year will be held in an Indian city, while the mega auction next year could once again be staged overseas.
The decision also comes after franchises raised concerns over the logistical and operational challenges involved in taking their delegations overseas for a mini-auction. The BCCI is understood to have taken those concerns into consideration during last year’s auction in Abu Dhabi, following which the Governing Council decided to explore an Indian venue for this year’s event.
The exact venue will be finalised based on the availability of accommodation for the franchises and their delegations. The BCCI is also factoring in the wedding season in India, which runs from October to December, when demand for five-star hotels is particularly high.
The board requires more than 100 rooms for a couple of nights to accommodate the franchise delegations and other officials involved in the auction. The availability of suitable hotels will therefore play an important role in determining the host city.
Impact Player Decision Deferred
Meanwhile, the IPL Governing Council has deferred a decision on the future of the Impact Player rule. Another GC meeting is expected to be held in about a month, when the board is likely to take a final call on whether the rule will continue.
Cricbuzz had reported on August 30 that the BCCI had sought feedback from the franchises on the Impact Player rule.
Most franchises are understood to be opposed to the rule, although there is a view among some teams that it could continue for at least one more season. Some franchises have also argued that they built their current squads with the Impact Player rule in mind and that removing it immediately could affect their team planning.
Their preference, therefore, is understood to be to defer any decision on scrapping the rule until next year.
The Governing Council is expected to revisit the matter at its next meeting before taking a final decision on the rule.
