The auction is expected to take place in the last week of November.
In a recent development coming in, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has shortlisted two venues to host the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL 2025 auction).
While no specific location has been finalized yet, the BCCI is considering hosting the mega auction in a Saudi city.
It is understood that Riyadh or Jeddah are amongst the top two places on the minds of the BCCI officials. Dubai, located in the UAE, is another option; however, it is not the top choice at the moment. The auction is anticipated to take place during the final week of November.
Notably, the upcoming auction will be a mega-auction, after it was last held prior to the IPL 2022 season.
For the unversed, for the upcoming season, BCCI has recently increased the number of retentions to six players per franchise.
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BCCI makes a shift from initial choice of venue
A Cricbuzz report reveals that the BCCI has faced difficulties in securing an appropriate venue or hotel.
While budget constraints are unlikely to be a concern for the IPL franchise owners or the BCCI, both known for their substantial wealth, finding a location in Saudi Arabia has been notably challenging.
Reportedly, expenses in Saudi Arabia are significantly higher compared to Dubai, where the last auction took place in December 2023.
Although earlier reports suggested that London had been shortlisted, the BCCI opted not to hold the auction in the UK due to the chilly weather during this period.
Currently, BCCI and IPL officials are searching for a venue capable of hosting the IPL 2025 auction over two days and accommodating the full IPL contingent, which includes delegations from the 10 franchises and a large group from the two broadcasters, Jio and Disney Star.
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