BCCI considers Saudi Arabia for IPL mega auction venue
With Riyadh and Jeddah as potential hosts for the auction, the Board of Control for Cricket in India faces challenges in securing a suitable location for the highly anticipated event in November.
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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is exploring the possibility of hosting the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction in Saudi Arabia, with Riyadh and Jeddah emerging as frontrunners for the event, Cricbuzz reports.
Although no specific location has been finalized, the BCCI officials are keen on setting the auction in one of these cities, leaving Dubai as a less favoured option despite its previous hosting of the auction in December 2023.
Cricbuzz understands that the BCCI has encountered difficulties in securing an appropriate venue or hotel in Saudi Arabia, where costs are reportedly significantly higher compared to Dubai. While financial concerns are not expected to be a major issue for the IPL franchise owners - who represent one of the wealthiest leagues in the world, the challenge remains to find a suitable space to accommodate the extensive entourage expected to attend.
The auction is slated to take place in the last week of November and is anticipated to span two days, catering to all ten franchise delegations and key broadcasters, including Jio and Disney Star.
In a previous development, London had been considered a potential venue for the auction, but the BCCI opted against it due to the chilly weather typical of the UK in late November. With logistical hurdles in mind, the BCCI and IPL officials are actively searching for a location that can effectively host such a significant event.
In other news, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are awaiting a final decision regarding MS Dhoni's participation in the upcoming season. Key officials from the franchise are set to meet with Dhoni in mid-October in Mumbai to discuss his future. The legendary cricketer, who recently returned to India after a trip to the United States, has yet to confirm whether he will play another season.
Notably, the BCCI has declared that players like Dhoni, who have not played international cricket for over five years, can be classified as 'uncapped' and retained for a price of Rs 4 crore.
