BCCI to launch new IPL-style league for retired cricketers to expand global cricket dominance

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly considering launching its very own Indian Premier League (IPL)-style league for retired cricketers across the world next year.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India is planning to offer the global fans the thrill of watching legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, AB de Villiers, Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, and others back on the field.

BCCI mulls IPL-style league for retired cricketing legends

The retired cricketers have been entertaining the fans while playing in various unofficial leagues across the world, but these tournaments are mostly run by private organizations and lack formal backing from major cricket boards.

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The recent World Championship of Legends (WCL) in England, which featured some of the greats across the world, including Yuvraj Singh and Shahid Afridi, was a big hit among the fans, raising demand for such events for the legendary cricketers.

According to a sensational report by Dainik Jagran, the idea for an official Indian Legends League has been suggested to the Board of Control for Cricket in India by several retired players. The report claimed that several former cricketers approached the Board of Control for Cricket in India Secretary Jay Shah with a bold proposal to stage an IPL-themed league for retired cricketers across the globe in India.

They proposed a league similar to the IPL for the cricketing legends with a franchise-based model where teams bid for players in a glamorous auction. The Board of Control for Cricket in India has reportedly responded positively to the idea, as the board officials expressed serious interest in the concept.

The idea is still at the proposal stage: BCCI

A source close to the BCCI revealed that the discussions are still in an early stage and this year such a league can’t be launched, but there's significant optimism about making it a reality next year.

If the BCCI gave the green light to this idea, it could spell trouble for existing private leagues, as the official sanctioning would undoubtedly attract every retired legend across the globe. There's even speculation that the BCCI might impose restrictions on players participating in other leagues to ensure the exclusivity of their own T20 extravaganza.

A BCCI official was quoted as saying by Dainik Jagran: “We have received a proposal from former cricketers in this regard, which is currently under consideration. However, it is still at the proposal stage.”

When asked if the league could take place this year, the BCCI official responded by saying, “It is not possible this year. However, it could be considered for next year. The league will feature players who have retired from international cricket and are not participating in the IPL.”

रिटायर हो चुके कुछ पूर्व खिलाड़ी कुछ समय पहले बीसीसीआई सचिव जय शाह से मिले थे। उनका कहना था कि बोर्ड को आइपीएल की तर्ज पर लीजेंड्स खिलाड़ियों की लीग करनी चाहिए। अभी इस तरह की बहुत सारी लीग हैं लेकिन रेगुलेशन अच्छा नहीं होने के कारण उसमें काफी कुछ गड़बड़ियां हैं। इस तरह के… p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->X<!---->b<!---->u<!---->0<!---->u<!---->G<!---->t<!---->H<!---->j<!---->5

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Ashwin criticized the reintroduction of the Right to Match (RTM) rule in IPL

Meanwhile, the BCCI is planning the reintroduction of the Right to Match (RTM) rule ahead of the IPL 2025 Mega Auction. However, Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has criticized the reintroduction of the Right to Match (RTM) rule, which enables franchises to reclaim players they previously released by matching the highest bid during the auction.

Ashwin argues with the BCCI that the Right to Match (RTM) rule is extremely unfair to players, and if this rule returns, it will leave many players with minimal opportunities in the world’s biggest T20 league.