MUMBAI: The IPL players auction ahead of the 2021 season is likely to be held on February 18, a BCCI official told PTI on Friday.
“The auction will be held on February 18. The venue is yet to be decided,” the official said.
Accordimg to the Union government’s preferred newswire ANI however, February 18 is not “locked” as yet though Chennai has been chosen as the venue.
Speaking to ANI, a BCCI source said that the auction ahead of IPL’s 14th edition will take place either on February 18 or 19. “The second Test match ends in Chennai on February 17. So, we will go for either 18 or 19 and the venue is Chennai,” the source said.
The BCCI is also yet to decide whether the IPL will happen in India or not even though Board President Sourav Ganguly has repeatedly asserted that everything possible would be done to keep the world’s richest and most high-profile annual cricket jamboree at home.
“India will be the preferred choice, but it also depends a lot on how the situation is and a better picture will be got after the Mushtaq Ali tournament plays out. UAE was excellent and there is no doubt the Emirates Cricket Board ensured everything went on smoothly. But then, it is the Indian T20 league and we will look to host it here if possible and with the government’s approval,” a source told PTI.
A smooth conduct of India’s home series against England from next month should pave the way for the IPL to be held in India.
The player retention deadline ended on January 20 and the trading window closes on February 4.
The 2020 edition was held in the UAE in September-November due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
