THE Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed Goa as the venue for this year’s IPL auction. BCCI secretary, Devajit Saikia, told Cricbuzz on Wednesday that the auction will be held in mid-December. Cricbuzz was first to report that this year’s auction will be in India.
The date of the auction has also been finalised, although it has not yet been revealed. Saikia, however, said it could be held between December 14-16. As it is expected to be a small auction, it will be a one-day affair.
Over the last three years, the auction was held in Dubai, Jeddah and Abu Dhabi. The BCCI has bucked that trend, with the Governing Council recently deciding to hold it in India in response to requests from a majority of the IPL franchises. Next year, when the mega auction is due, the auction may go overseas again.
The BCCI’s first priority was finding a venue which was a five-star hotel that could accommodate over 100 guests, representing the large delegations of the 10 IPL franchises. Presumably, they have found a suitable hotel in Goa. (Cricbuzz)