The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to reveal the rules for keeping players in the Indian Premier League (IPL) by the end of August, as reported by Cricbuzz. The report states that BCCI plans to permit each of the 10 teams to retain six players, including the option to match any offer for their players. Although some team owners wanted to eliminate the large-scale auction process, the BCCI currently has no plans to make changes.
BCCI secretary Jay Shah recently emphasized the importance of maintaining continuity in a recent interview.
“We’ve listened to what all the franchises have to say,” Jay Shah told TOI.
“A minority view is just as important to us as the majority opinion. In the end, the office-bearers of the BCCI will make the decision. Some people think there’s no need for a big auction, while others who feel they don’t have a strong team want a big auction. Keeping things stable is important for the growth of the game, rather than constantly changing things,” he said.
Another big topic for discussion will be increasing the number of matches from 74 to 84 next season. With the IPL expanding from eight to 10 teams, the number of matches hasn’t increased as much as it should have (based on the home and away format, there should ideally be 94 matches including the playoffs and the final).
However, considering the busy international schedule, the players’ workload, and the limited time available, it might be difficult to manage.
“Nothing is set in stone yet,” Shah mentioned. “We will make a joint decision. We need to consider the players’ workload and the available time. It’s mentioned in the contract, but the BCCI will make the final call.”
When asked about the impact player rule, Jay Shah explained: “We had an extensive discussion with the team owners during our recent meeting. The impact player rule has its advantages and disadvantages. The downside is that it makes the all-rounder’s role less important. The upside is that it provides an opportunity for an Indian player to demonstrate their skills. We should also consider the broadcasters, who are investing a significant amount of money. But as an administrator, I believe the game is the most important. We will make a decision in a few days.”
