(BCCI Credit)
According to a Cricbuzz report, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to announce the player retention rules for the Indian Premier League (IPL) by the end of August. The guidelines are expected to permit each of the 10 teams to retain up to six players, including the Right to Match (RTM) option. Despite some franchises’ requests to eliminate the ‘Mega Auction,’ the BCCI currently plans to maintain the existing structure.
BCCI secretary Jay Shah recently emphasized the importance of ‘continuity’ in an interview.
“We’ve heard the views of all the franchises,” Jay Shah was quoted saying by TOI.
“For us a minority view is as important as the majority opinion. Ultimately the office-bearers (of the BCCI) will decide. Those who have a good side said there is no need for the big auction and those without a good side wanted the big auction. Continuity is important as shuffling, for the growth of the game,” he said.
Another key topic under consideration is the potential increase in the number of matches from 74 to 84 for the next season. Despite the IPL expanding from eight to ten teams, the match count has not scaled accordingly (ideally, with a home-and-away format, there should be 94 matches, including playoffs and the final).
However, balancing this with the crowded international schedule, player workload, and limited time frame could present significant challenges.
“Nothing is confirmed,” Shah said. “We will collectively decide. We’ve to factor in the workload of the players and the window also. It’s in the contract but it is up to the BCCI to decide.”
When asked about the impact player rule, Jay Shah said: “We had a long chat with the franchise owners in the recent meeting we had. The impact player rule has its pros and cons. The negative is that it makes the allrounder’s role redundant. The positive is it creates a spot for an Indian player to showcase his talent. We should also think about the broadcaster, who is paying a lot of money. But as an administrator for me, the game is bigger. We will decide in a few days.”
