BCCI Looks at Saudi Arabia for IPL 2025 Mega Auction

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is planning to host the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction in Saudi Arabia. Although the exact location is yet to be finalized, two cities—Riyadh and Jeddah—are the main options. Dubai, which has hosted previous auctions, remains an option but is not currently the BCCI’s top choice. The auction is expected to happen in late November 2024.

Why Saudi Arabia? For IPL 2025 Mega Auction

The BCCI has been exploring new locations for the IPL mega auction, and Saudi Arabia has emerged as a potential host. The country has been showing interest in various sports, and hosting a major cricket event like the IPL auction could further expand its reach. Riyadh and Jeddah, two prominent cities, are being considered because of their large facilities and ability to accommodate a big event.

Although the costs in Saudi Arabia are higher than in Dubai, this does not seem to be a major concern for the BCCI. The challenge lies more in finding the right venue that can hold the two-day auction and comfortably host all the teams, officials, and media.

Why Not London for Mega Auction?

London was one of the locations initially discussed for the IPL 2025 auction. However, due to the cold weather in November, the BCCI decided to drop the idea. The auction requires a suitable place where all 10 IPL teams, broadcasters, and officials can gather without any disruptions.

IPL 2025 Auction Overview

The IPL 2025 mega auction will be a big event as it will involve a fresh set of rules and guidelines. Each IPL team is allowed to retain six players from their current squad, with five of them being capped players. Additionally, the Right to Match (RTM) card is back, but with a twist.

The auction purse for each team has been set at INR 120 crore, which gives the teams flexibility in building their squad. A new feature of this auction is the introduction of match fees for players, which adds to the excitement of the auction process.

Retaining Players and Right to Match (RTM)

Each team can retain five capped players (Indian or overseas) and two uncapped Indian players. Uncapped players will be retained at INR 4 crore each. The money spent on retaining players will be deducted from the team’s overall auction budget, leaving the remaining amount for bidding on new players.

For example, if a team retains five capped players and one uncapped player, they will have a total of INR 79 crore deducted from their auction purse. This leaves them with INR 41 crore to spend on other players during the auction.

RTM cards allow teams to match the highest bid made for one of their released players. However, the new rule for 2025 allows the bidding team to raise the bid even after the RTM card has been used.

Impact of Uncapped Player Rule

One of the significant changes introduced by the BCCI is that former international players who have not played international cricket for five years can now be treated as uncapped players. This rule applies only to Indian players and allows teams to retain these players at a lower price. This is especially relevant for players like MS Dhoni, who retired from international cricket in 2019 and can now be classified as uncapped.

Saudi Arabia’s Growing Role in Sports

Saudi Arabia has been making efforts to grow its presence in global sports. The country’s involvement in football, tennis, and other sports is expanding, and hosting the IPL auction could be a significant step in strengthening its ties with cricket.

The BCCI’s interest in Saudi cities shows how the country is becoming an attractive destination for hosting international sports events. The higher costs are not seen as a major hurdle for the BCCI, which is the wealthiest cricket board in the world.

The Road Ahead

As the IPL 2025 auction date approaches, fans and teams are eagerly waiting for the final confirmation on the venue. The BCCI’s decision to possibly host the event in Saudi Arabia reflects the league’s growing international presence and the appeal of cricket beyond traditional markets.

With new rules, an increased auction purse, and the introduction of match fees for players, the IPL 2025 auction promises to be one of the most exciting events in the cricketing calendar. The stage is set for another thrilling season, and the auction will play a huge role in shaping the teams for the upcoming year.

Source: https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/131880/bcci-looking-at-saudi-cities-for-two-day-mega-ipl-auction