IPL 2022 Auction Venue – BCCI to change auction venue? – The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering a move to shift the auction venue from Bengaluru. The reason – hotels and Covid-19 restrictions. Not only this but the dates for the auction can also change. Follow IPL 2022 Mega Auction on InsideSport.IN.
While the BCCI earmarked February 12 and 13 for auctions in Bengaluru, the Indian board is yet to book hotels. InsideSport has learnt that the two hotels BCCI were looking at have asked the board to wait for a few days as the Karnataka government is due to issue fresh Covid-19 restrictions. The restrictions are expected to include a cap on gatherings preventing BCCI to host the auctions.
“Some things are out of our hands and we must wait. Bookings and stuff will not be an issue if we have an idea about the restrictions. We are closely monitoring the situation and are in talks with the state associations. If we need to move the venue, it can be done on short notice,” a senior BCCI official told InsideSport on Tuesday.
IPL 2022 Auction Venue: BCCI likely to shift IPL auction from Bengaluru, dates can also change – Check details
Currently, Sheraton Grand in Whitefield has been booked for Pro Kabaddi League (PKL 2022). The other hotels left are waiting cautiously on fresh curbs. With fresh restrictions the Karnataka govt is going to impose by Thursday, it could jeopardise the auction. Hence, the BCCI is on a wait and watch mode while also contemplating shifting the venue to other locations.
The BCCI had already kept Kolkata, Kochi and Mumbai on standby due to Covid-19. However, all three cities are currently witnessing a surge in Covid-19 cases while Kolkata, Mumbai and Kochi all have imposed fresh restrictions. Hence, it is likely that the Indian board will have to change the dates to conduct the two-day auctions.
IPL 2022 Auction Venue: BCCI likely to shift IPL auction from Bengaluru, dates can also change – Check details
IPL 2022 Auction Venue: Why BCCI could shift the venue?
- Pro Kabaddi League has taken one of the biggest properties in Sheraton Grand, Whitefield Hotel.
- With the Karnataka govt set to issue fresh Covid-19 restrictions including a cap on gatherings, the hotels have asked BCCI to wait.
- The change in venue is also likely to force the BCCI to change the dates as all standby cities are currently witnessing a surge in Covid cases. Many cities have already imposed restrictions.
- The standby cities including Kolkata, Mumbai and Kochi are currently under restrictions.
- BCCI is in talks with other state associations for a last-minute change.
- The IPL 2022 Auction is expected to see hundreds of franchise officials gathering at the venue which can be a problem due to Covid restrictions.
IPL 2022 Auction Venue: BCCI likely to shift IPL auction from Bengaluru, dates can also change – Check details
Meanwhile, the BCCI has set a January 17 deadline for other cricket boards to send a list of players who want to be part of the auction. Once BCCI gets the list of players, only around 250 players will be shortlisted for the main event.
“All cricket boards have been requested to send the list of players by January 17. You can expect the list to come out soon after that. We expect over 1000 entries this time as it is going to be bigger. But only one-fourth of them will be shortlisted,” the BCCI official told InsideSport.
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