IPL 2021: Mini-auction in February, trading window now open, and player retention deadline set to January 21: Reports

The preparations for the next season of the Indian Premier League has already begun. According to a report in Mumbai Mirror, the IPL governing council led by Brijesh Patel met virtually to discuss the ground plan for IPL 2021. It is believed that the trading window has now been opened and the franchises have been requested to release their players before January 21. 

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are keen to host the two-month cricketing extravaganza in India but a series of factors will depend on how the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy pans out. “How we approach the next IPL is dependent on how Mushtaq Ali plays out,” a BCCI official was quoted as saying to Mumbai Mirror. 

BCCI will closely monitor the proceedings of the domestic T20 tournament which begins from January 10. The IPL mini-auction is likely to be staged in the second week of February. Considering the COVID-19 situation in the country, the board is mulling the decision to restrict the IPL venues. As per the report in Sportstar - Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata currently stand as the top-contenders to host the IPL fixtures. 

“Yes, that’s something that will need to be looked at. Four or five at the most, ideally to maintain bio-secure bubbles, but the franchises will have to be taken into confidence for that,” - the source said.

The board is likely to announce the roadmap of the tournament later this week. 

[Mumbai Mirror and Sportstar input]