The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has come under fire for scheduling the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction during the opening Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) between India and Australia. The scheduling conflict has forced several key Australian cricket personalities, including Ricky Ponting, to split their commitments between the two events.
The mega auction, set to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on November 24-25, overlaps with the first Test match beginning November 22 in Perth. This clash has particularly affected Australian cricket legends Ricky Ponting, Justin Langer, and former New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori, who all hold coaching positions with various IPL franchises.
IPL auction vs BGT: “Worst-ever decision”?
Ponting, who serves as the head coach for Punjab Kings, expressed his frustration with the scheduling in a recent interview with the Sydney Morning Herald. “It’s the worst possible case scenario for me and ‘JL’ (Justin Langer),” he stated, referring to himself and Justin Langer. “We for the last couple of months felt that it was probably going to be in the gap between the Test matches. It takes all the pressure off the players from both teams, there are a lot of players in both teams in the auction.”
The timing appears particularly puzzling given that there is a substantial break between the first and second Tests, with the Adelaide Test not starting until December 6. This gap could have potentially accommodated the auction without creating conflicts for key personnel.
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IPL auction vs BGT: Possible reasons?
Detailing his complicated travel arrangements, Ponting explained: “I’m calling the first day, then flying out late Friday night to Jeddah. The auction is the 24th and 25th and then depending on how we’re going through our auction, we’ll see when I can return. Hopefully I’ll get back for the end of Perth, and if not I’ll be back on deck for the start of Adelaide.”
The scheduling conflict means that both Ponting and Langer will only be available for commentary duties with Channel Seven on the opening day of the Perth Test before departing for Saudi Arabia. Daniel Vettori, currently Australia’s bowling coach and also the coach of Sunrisers Hyderabad, faces similar challenges in managing his dual responsibilities.
Ponting speculated about the possible reasons behind the scheduling, noting, “I don’t know why they’ve chosen the dates they have – it might have something to do with the game. The auction actually starts on air almost immediately after the end of play. So it might be something to do with broadcast.”
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