The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has summoned a meeting of the Indian Premier League (IPL) team owners, scheduled to convene in Ahmedabad on April 16.
Concurrently, the Gujarat Titans will be squaring off against the Delhi Capitals at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera.
Invitations have been extended to all ten IPL franchise owners, with the expectation that they may be accompanied by their CEOs and operational teams.
However, it’s been reported that the meeting is designated for owners exclusively, suggesting discussions of significant importance.
BCCI President Roger Binny, Secretary Jay Shah, and IPL Chairman Arun Singh Dhumal are among the attendees slated to participate in the meeting.
Hemang Amin, the CEO of the IPL, is believed to have dispatched the correspondence regarding the gathering.
While the agenda remains unspecified by Amin, the suddenness of the invite hints at discussions likely centering around critical policy decisions, notably regarding the forthcoming mega-auction.
According to insider sources, the meeting aims to chart the future course for the IPL.
An anticipated topic of discussion is the number of player retentions before the auction, a matter that has stirred diverse opinions within the IPL fraternity.
There appears to be no consensus on the optimal number, prompting the BCCI to seek a consensus among the stakeholders.
Some IPL owners advocate for an increase in retentions, arguing that established teams require continuity to strengthen their brand and fan base.
Suggestions have been made for the retention count to be as high as eight players.
Conversely, opposing viewpoints advocate for a more limited retention policy.
Furthermore, discussions are expected to encompass the reintroduction of the Right to Match card, a mechanism absent from the previous mega-auction in 2022.
The previous policy allowed for a maximum of four Right to Match cards, with restrictions on the number of Indian and foreign players.
Another key area of deliberation will be the IPL salary cap, a topic that traditionally garners divergent perspectives.
With the exponential growth in teams’ central revenue share following a substantial broadcast deal signed by the BCCI two years ago, a revision of the salary cap is anticipated from its previous INR 100 crore benchmark set during the last mini-auction.
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