No New Teams As IPL 2021 To Be Played With Eight Teams: Report

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly decided to wait for at least one more year before increasing the numbers of teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Soon after the conclusion of IPL 2020 in November, several reports suggested that the BCCI would release tenders for two new teams.

The reports also suggested that the Indian cricket board would approve the new teams during the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) on December 24. Cricbuzz reported that a notice with regards to the same was already sent to affiliated units by the BCCI, signed by secretary Jay Shah. However, according to the latest reports, the BCCI has finally decided against introducing new teams for IPL 2021.

According to The Times of India, the BCCI has decided to keep the number of teams to 8 for the 2021 season post which fresh bids will be invited for the addition of two more teams. The BCCI has now decided that a 10-team IPL can see the light of day from the 2022 season. The final decision will be taken at the AGM.

“The BCCI could call for the bids in February or March or April – whenever they think the time is right. The adding of new franchises, say stakeholders, will also add value to the 2021 edition once it becomes a talking point. That’s the line of thought as of now,” those tracking developments told TOI.

No new teams for IPL 2021 will come as a big relief for the BCCI as well as all the other eight franchises who were reportedly against the expanding ideas right from the start. The reason behind the relief is that no new teams will mean no mega auction ahead of the upcoming season. The BCCI will also have more time to sell the title sponsorship rights – which were sold to Dream 11 ahead of IPL 2013 which was played in UAE.

“Two new franchises will obviously have their own share of value when the media rights tender comes along. Also, two more things: First, the central revenue pool for the 2021 season won’t be diluted, which means the franchises will be happy; Second, once again 60 matches will be held, which means lesser double-headers, so the broadcaster will be happy,” sources told TOI.

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