BCCI Puts Plans For Tenders For Two New IPL Teams On Hold, Says Reports

If reports are to be believed, the BCCI has put on hold all plans for floating tenders for two new Indian Premier League (IPL) teams. BCCI had unveiled plans to introduce two new teams in IPL 2022 but is still reeling under the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused the postponement of IPL 2021.

BCCI is currently focusing on how to complete the IPL 2021 season which had to be suspended after 29 matches had been played. COVID-19 positive cases amongst players, coaches, and support staff proved to be the last straw before BCCI and IPL governing council decided to bring the IPL 14 to a halt.

Time Is Not Right To Even Talk About The New IPL Teams At This Stage: Reports

As per previous plans, the two new IPL teams will be inducted into the competition, with IPL 2022 likely to be a ten-team affair. Multiple reports had previously suggested the new IPL teams would be finalized by the end of May.

However, a senior BCCI official confirmed to InsideSport that the BCCI has put plans for new IPL teams on the backburner for now.

“Time is not right to even talk about the new IPL teams at this stage. We have to first decide the way forward on the suspended season and then only decisions can be taken on the new teams for IPL 2022. No discussion in this regard is happening at this stage in the BCCI. We don’t see any moment on this before July. We can’t give any timelines at this stage. As I said, no discussion currently in this regard is taking place in BCCI for now,” the BCCI official explained.

There are still 31 matches to play in the IPL 2021 and the BCCI is looking for a new window to complete the remaining matches and schedule. BCCI is looking for a September window to host the remainder of the games. Till now counties in England, Sri Lanka, and UAE are being touted as the venues for the IPL 2021’s second half.

A delay in the tender process for the new IPL teams will surely put involved parties on the back foot. Setting up an IPL franchise requires significant effort, and the BCCI would hope the process gets completed as soon as possible.

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