IPL 2024 auction set to move out of India; tentative dates revealed

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• Oct 26, 2023 | Dhupali Das

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced that the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 auction is all set to dazzle cricket enthusiasts in...

Digital Desk: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced that the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 auction is all set to dazzle cricket enthusiasts in Dubai. Scheduled to take place from December 15 to 19, this prestigious event promises to be a spectacle of talent and excitement after the second Women’s Premier League (WPL) auction on December 9 in Delhi.

While the official announcement is yet to reach the IPL franchises, insider sources reveal that the Dubai auction will likely take place on December 18 or 19, even though these dates fall on weekdays. This move comes after last year's contemplation of Istanbul as a potential venue, ultimately leading to the selection of Kochi. The Dubai proposal may be provisional, but franchises have been alerted to its potential hosting.

As the player trading period remains open, no transfers among IPL teams have been disclosed as of now. With the closing of the three-year cycle, there is keen anticipation about whether significant trades will happen, especially involving higher-paid players who made fewer contributions in the previous season.

On the WPL front, BCCI has yet to provide auction details to team owners. Speculation suggests that WPL may be slated for February 2024, considering that the Indian women’s cricket team has international fixtures scheduled until mid-January.

The format of the WPL remains uncertain. It is unclear whether it will be hosted in a single city, as it was in last year's Mumbai stint, or organized across multiple locations in India.

IPL Governing Council chairman Arun Dhumal has already confirmed that the IPL 2024 will be organized in India, despite the potential clash with general elections in the country. Dhumal confirmed last week in Dharamsala that the IPL 2024 schedule will be announced after the election dates.

However, the overlapping schedules of the IPL and the elections pose a logistical challenge. With police officers and security personnel needed on election days in various districts, ensuring security for the IPL 2024 may become a daunting task. This issue was encountered in 2019 when the IPL schedule had to be coordinated with the election dates, resulting in matches taking place either after or before state voting processes.

Dhumal stated, "The IPL will be held in India next year. We will need time to make the schedule because it will be made after the Election Committee announces the dates of the general elections. We will have to see when the different states have their elections and make the schedule accordingly. We will need to wait and will need to work with the government."

Cricket fans worldwide eagerly await the IPL 2024 auction in Dubai, while the BCCI strives to balance cricketing excitement with the demands of the country's electoral process, ensuring a successful and secure tournament for all involved.