BCCI considering holding IPL 2025 auction overseas: Rajeev Shukla

Rajeev Shukla said that the BCCI is keeping the option of hosting the IPL 2025 auction both in India and overseas. On Saturday, the Indian board announced the retention rules ahead of the upcoming season.

In Short

• Dubai hosted the IPL auction last year
• Rajeev Shukla talked about taking the sport overseas
• The IPL retention rules were announced on September 28

BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla said that the board is keeping open the options of hosting the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 auction, both in India and overseas. Shukla said that the BCCI intends to take the sport overseas and attract fans abroad. Last time around, Dubai hosted the IPL auction where the likes of Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins broke all records, fetching huge bids.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and South Africa have also hosted a few seasons in the IPL due to various reasons. The last time the IPL took place abroad was in 2021 when the second-half of the tournament had to be shifted out of India due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"We are contemplating with both the options. It may be abroad also. Last time we had in Dubai. And it went very successfully. The whole idea is to take some elements of cricket overseas also. So, overseas cricket fans also get attracted,” Shukla said in a press conference.

"And they associate themselves with the cricket. So, that's the basic idea. If we can't have matches there, at least we should organise such events there. Keeping that in mind, all the options are open,” Shukla added.

IPL introduces new rules before auction

The Governing Council recently unveiled new player regulations for the upcoming mega auction, laying the groundwork for an exciting season. Key announcements include limits on player retention, an increase in team purse values, and the introduction of new match fees for each game.

Stricter regulations have also been put in place for unplanned withdrawals by foreign players ahead of the season. Additionally, the rule for uncapped players has been reintroduced, specifying that any Indian player who hasn’t played international cricket in the last five years leading up to the season will be considered uncapped.