File Picture Courtesy : Indian Express
The mega auctions of the Indian Premier League’s 11th edition will be held in Bengaluru on January 27 and 28.
The news was confirmed by a senior BCCI official. “Since most of the capped players will be back in auction, it will be a mega auction that will be held in Bengaluru on January 27 and 28. Since Bengaluru has been hosting all previous auctions, that was the choice of franchises,” a senior BCCI official said.
This year’s auction will see teams having an increased budget of Rs 80 crore from previous Rs 66 crore. In all five players can be retained by a franchise, which includes two Right to Match cards.
#IPL2018 Auction date & venue ; Check Out Here https://t.co/2AE5Ze7Bsp
— CricFit (@CricFit) December 20, 2017
Subject to approval from the television broadcasters Star India, the BCCI is likely to change the timing for the IPL matches from the upcoming season, with the 8pm match game beginning at 7 instead.
The 8pm start has often seen the matches continue well past midnight, thus causing a problem to the fans at the stadium and to parents of kids at home, watching on television.
It was in a IPL general council meeting that the chairman Rajeev Shukla floated the idea of an early start. The idea was welcomed by the franchises, but finalising on it would depend on the broadcaster.
The GC meet saw the approval of another change in the format of the tournament, wherein, like in European football, teams will be afforded a mid-tournament transfer window, such that a player who has played two games out of seven, can move to a different franchise.
“It was just a thought (starting game at 7pm) and everyone welcomed it but first we need to speak to broadcaster and take their nod. We will work on modalities then. There have been many centers where traveling is major concern. All the issues were discussed and we all thought to start the game but early,” IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla said.
