In a groundbreaking move, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is gearing up to introduce a new T10 franchise competition, marking another milestone 15 years after the revolutionary launch of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The proposed Tier-2 cricket league, anticipated to kick off in 2024, has cricket enthusiasts buzzing with excitement.
Under the strategic guidance of BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, the blueprint for this novel league is taking shape as per Money Control.
The board is contemplating hosting the competition in the T10 format, recognizing the widespread appeal and potential future direction of the shortest version of the game. However, the specific format is yet to be confirmed.
Amidst the anticipation, the BCCI is navigating through critical decisions:
a) T10 or T20: The board is deliberating whether to proceed with the T10 format or adhere to the familiar T20 structure.
b) Player Age Cap: An ongoing debate revolves around whether the league should impose an age cap for players to ensure it doesn’t overshadow the IPL’s popularity.
c) Franchise Tender Process: The BCCI is considering whether franchises for the new league should be auctioned through a separate tender process or if existing IPL franchises should have the right of first refusal.
d) Venue Selection: Another decision involves whether the tournament should be a fixed location in India or explore a new venue every year.
All about BCCI T10 League
Crucially, the existing contracts between the BCCI and IPL franchise owners grant the latter the right of first refusal for any business model similar to the IPL. This contractual clause may influence the decision-making process.
A key consideration for the BCCI is whether to implement an age bracket for the new tournament. The fear is that without an age cap, it might gradually erode the IPL’s popularity over time. Currently, the IPL’s strength lies in its prime-time scheduling, participation of the world’s best white-ball cricketers, and substantial corporate investment.
As the BCCI actively pursues these plans, the cricketing landscape may undergo significant changes within the next two years. While marquee bilateral red-ball events like the Ashes and India vs. England may persist, the cricketing calendar could increasingly pivot toward franchise cricket, altering the traditional fabric of bilateral contests.
Some cricket boards, grappling with financial challenges from the sale of home bilateral rights, may find relief through potential revenue-sharing models with the BCCI. This shift could potentially accelerate the decline of 50-over cricket, causing concern among those who see it as an ‘inevitable’ consequence.
Interestingly, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has expressed a keen interest in partnering with Indian cricket, presenting the possibility of a traveling tournament hosted in the Gulf to bolster its financial prospects.
While cricket boards around the world may face challenges, the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) stands uniquely positioned, leveraging the favorable summer months to maintain their cricketing stronghold despite evolving global dynamics.
