The Indian Premier League (IPL) team owners are set to assemble in Ahmedabad on April 16, 2024, to discuss the tournament’s future. The focus will be on the mega auction and player retentions. The meeting, which will take place against a match between Gujarat Titans and Delhi Capitals at the Narendra Modi Stadium, is expected to see the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) address several policy decisions.
The BCCI has extended invitations exclusively to the ten IPL franchise owners, indicating that the discussions will be important to the league’s direction. While team CEOs and operational teams may accompany the owners, the meeting is only for the owners. High-ranking officials are slated to attend, including BCCI President Roger Binny, Secretary Jay Shah, and IPL Chairman Arun Singh Dhumal.
The BCCI is expected to address several policy decisions, primarily concerning the next year’s mega-auction. “They will discuss the way forward for the IPL,” said a source familiar with the matter.
While not publicly disclosed, the agenda is anticipated to revolve around the mega auction scheduled for the following year. A key point of contention is the number of player retentions allowed before the auction. Opinions among the owners vary, with some advocating for an increase to enhance team continuity and brand building, while others favor a more conservative approach.
The reintroduction of the Right to Match card, absent in the last mega auction, is also expected to be a topic of debate. This mechanism allows teams to retain players by matching the highest bid received during the auction.
With the IPL ecosystem divided on these issues, the meeting is poised to be pivotal in shaping the league’s future. The outcomes of the discussions could have far-reaching implications for team strategies and the overall structure of the IPL in the years to come.