The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction starting time has been changed just two days before the event takes place in Jeddah. This decision has been forced. Broadcasters for the event (JioCinema and Disney Star) requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that they change the start time from 3 PM IST to 3:30 IST.
IPL 2025 auction start time pushed back
They feared that the IPL auction would directly clash with the India vs Australia 1st Test. The match has already begun, and the day’s play for each of the five days is expected to end at 2:50 IST. However, in case of delays (due to weather or bad light) or slow overrate, the match has to be extended. Therefore, the broadcasters requested the time be pushed back by half an hour.
The clash would hurt Disney Star the most. They have acquired the TV rights for the IPL 2025 auction and the digital and TV rights for the India tour of Australia. Over the years, the IPL auction has become an event, and millions of people tune in to watch it. Therefore, for Disney Star, it’ll be like pitting two of their best products against each other. Since it can affect the viewership for both, it’s safe to assume they led the way and JioCinema wasn’t far behind. Of course, the two have also begun their merger and therefore would have been eye to eye on the matter.
How the IPL 2025 auction will work
Coming to the auction, 577 players will go under the hammer. It was 574 before, but due to the late admission of Jofra Archer, Saurabh Netravalkar, and Hardik Tamore, the list has been increased. However, only 204 players can find an IPL home. Of these 577 players, 116 will have an assured chance to get to bid, while the acceleration process will start with franchises requesting names from the remaining 461 players.
