Reports: BCCI to increase purse amount of franchises for IPL 2022 mega auction

Cricket fans worldwide are eagerly waiting for the resumption of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) suspended the gala tournament midway on May 4 due to the deadly COVID-19 pandemic. The remaining matches of the season will now take place in the United Arab Emirates in September-October. While BCCI would be preparing for the smooth conduct of the UAE leg, they also have an eye on the next season.

For the unversed, IPL will undergo many transitions in the 2022 season which will also see the tournament expansion. Two new teams are set to come into the picture, making IPL a 10-team event. Only eight teams have been participating since the 2014 edition. Hence, it would be interesting to see what the change in dynamics will result in.

Moreover, a mega auction is also set to take place for next year’s event which would see all the teams going under massive revamps. The Times of India reported that instead of three, four players can be retained ahead of the bidding event but under some specific conditions. Either a side can retain three Indians and one overseas player or two locals and as many foreign stars.

Teams to have more money in the purse hints BCCI

The report further said that BCCI is set to increase the salary purse from INR 85 crore to INR 90 crore, adding INR 50 crore to the total salary pool. It is mandatory for all the franchises to spend at least 75% of the allotted purse. Franchises retaining players must deduct specified sums from their salary purse before heading into the auction pool.

As per the existing structure, the deduction in purse amount is laid down as follows: INR 15 crore, INR 11 crore, and INR 7 crore if three players are retained, INR 12.5 crore and INR 8.5 crore in case of two players, and INR 12.5 crore if only one player is retained. However, this structure is likely to undergo some changes with BCCI allowing teams to retain four players now.

Speaking of IPL 2021, many teams might not be able to field their best combination with foreign players likely to pull out of the tournament owing to travel restrictions and quarantine protocols. Moreover, the tournament will be followed by the high-voltage ICC T20 World Cup and national boards will want their players to be fit for the event.