Indian Premier League (IPL) Governing Council has admitted that they will review its proposed plan to delay the start of the first match to 5.30 pm. Notably, some franchises raised objections about the delay admitted IPL chairman, Rajeev Shukla.
“The broadcaster (Star India) had requested and the GC considered it during its meeting. After that, we have received objections from a couple of franchises. We’ll discuss with them also. We’ll discuss with the broadcaster also and we’ll arrive at a decision in an amicable way,” Shukla said.
“It’s an administrative issue. We can sort it out at our level,” Shukla added further.
IPL matches have been played at 4 pm, and 8 pm since the league was launched in 2008. However, with a 5.30pm start, there will be an overlap of the matches. The franchises are concerned their sponsors would object due to a reduced viewership.
The ongoing20 auction has attracted a bigger pool of cricketers from England. There has been a problem with the availability of England players for the entire duration (April 4 to May 31), and hence franchises are unwilling to go for them.
Shukla revealed from now on, all Boards who release their players for the full duration will be paid more.
“We have spoken to the England board and asked them to provide the players. And we’ve made a provision that whoever provides players for the entire duration, we will pay the Board 20 percent (of the player’s fee). Earlier, we were paying 10 percent,” He signed off.
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