The BCCI is set to bring the IPL 2027 auction back to India, with the venue yet to be finalised for the player bidding event later this year.
The decision was among the key decisions from the IPL governing council meeting held on Tuesday. The IPL auction for the past three years has been staged overseas in Dubai, Jeddah and Abu Dhabi, hosting subsequent editions.
However, the BCCI has opted to bring the auction back to India, with the event being a mini-auction. The mega auction next year could again be held overseas.
The decision is also in line with the assurances given to the franchises, who had expressed reservations over the logistical and operational challenges of taking their delegations overseas for a mini auction.
The BCCI members are believed to have considered their views during last year’s auction in Abu Dhabi.
The venue will be decided based on the availability of accommodation for the franchises and their delegations. The GC has taken into account the fact that it is the wedding season in India from October to December, and the choice of city will be decided depending on the availability of five-star hotels during that period.
Meanwhile, the Governing Council left the decision on the impact player rule open-ended. Another GC meeting will be convened in a month, when a final decision on the rule is expected to be taken.
However, the decision on the Impact player rule has yet to be taken, with another meeting to be convened within a month to arrive at a final call.
It is understood that most franchises are understood to be opposed to the rule but feel it may need to be persisted with for at least one more year, since squads were built keeping it in mind.
The BCCI has reportedly taken stock of these complaints, especially after last year’s Abu Dhabi edition left several teams grumbling about logistics and costs. With that feedback in mind, the governing council has now agreed to look at India cities as potential hosts for this year’s event.