IPL auction is coming back to India after three years of being held overseas. The BCCI has decided to host the IPL 2027 auction on home soil, a call taken at the IPL Governing Council meeting on Tuesday, September 15, Cricbuzz reported.
This will be a mini auction, and it marks a shift from the pattern followed since 2023, when the auction was held in Kochi before moving to Dubai, Jeddah and Abu Dhabi in the years that followed.
Why the auction is moving back to India
According to Cricbuzz, the BCCI's decision follows assurances given to the franchises, several of whom had raised concerns over the logistical and operational strain of sending their delegations overseas for a mini auction. Those concerns are believed to have been taken into account after last year's auction in Abu Dhabi, leading the Governing Council to explore an Indian city as the venue this time.
The report added that the mega auction next year could still be held overseas, since this decision applies specifically to the mini auction.
How the host city will be picked
The venue will depend on hotel availability for franchises and their delegations, as has been the case in the past, Cricbuzz reported. The Governing Council is also factoring in that October to December falls during India's wedding season, so the city chosen will depend on which location can offer enough five star hotel rooms during that window. The BCCI needs more than 100 rooms for a couple of nights to accommodate all ten franchises.
Impact Player rule decision pushed to next meeting
The Governing Council has left the future of the Impact Player rule undecided for now, Cricbuzz reported. A separate meeting is expected to be held within a month to take a final call. The website had earlier reported on August 30 that the BCCI had sought franchise opinions on the rule.
Most franchises are understood to favour continuing with the rule for at least one more season, Cricbuzz reported, with some arguing that they built their squads around its presence and that any change should wait until next year regardless of whether it is eventually scrapped.
