IPL 2021 Auction To Be Held On February 11: Reports

The IPL 2021 auction is reportedly set to take place on February 11 this year. Some media reports have emerged suggesting that the date has almost been finalized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BBCI). The report also states that India will be BCCI’s first priority as the venue for IPL 2021.

Notably, the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2020) took place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This happened as the COVID-19 situation in India was at its peak and the BCCI couldn’t stage in India. Thus, it was shifted to UAE. However, the BCCI did a commendable job in conducting the grand tournament as no cases of the widespread virus emerged throughout the course of the tournament.

IPL 2021 Auctions Set To Take Place On February 11: Reports

Now, BCCI will have the onus of successfully conducting IPL 2021 in India. This will be the first major sporting event in the country after the widespread impact of the coronavirus. In a report published in ESPNCricinfo, it stated, “The 2021 IPL auction is likely to be held on February 11. The IPL has also set January 20 as the deadline for the eight franchises to submit the lists of retained and released players.”

“The venue for the auction, which will be a day-long event, has not been finalised yet either. However, it will take place in the short break between the first and the second Test of the India-England Test series which begins in February,” the report further stated.

No Final Decision Has Been Taken On The IPL 2021 Venue

As of now, no final decision has been taken on the IPL 2021 venue. The BCCI does not want to finalize the venue until and unless they get the clearances from the Indian government. The widespread impact of coronavirus has although reduced in the last couple of months in the country, the board might also be forced to shift the venue in case there will be an emergency.

The BCCI is ready to take a late call and defer the tournament to UAE as per some reports if things turn worse. The IPL 2021 schedule will likely be released as soon as the auctions are complete. It will be interesting to see if BCCI will be able to pull off the grand tournament in Indian itself or not.