Reports: BCCI mulling Dubai as venue for IPL auction

Dubai has already hosted a number of matches in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Ahead of the 17th season of the cash-rich league, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is thinking of Dubai as the venue for the auction.

According to a report in Cricbuzz, the richest cricket board in the world has reportedly narrowed down the dates of the auction between December 15 and 19. The Women’s Premier League (WPL) auction will be held a few days prior to the IPL auction. The tentative date for the WPL auction is December 9. Last year, the WPL was held in Mumbai. While the venue for the 2024 edition of WPL hasn’t been confirmed as yet, it is likely to be held in India. 

No official notification has been sent to the franchises as yet, but the reports suggest that Dubai could be the venue for the IPL auction. Last year, the BCCI planned to organise the IPL auction in Istanbul, but it was eventually held in Kochi. Teams have been informed that Dubai is being considered as a potential venue for the auction.

IPL trading window is open

The IPL trading window is currently open, and teams are free to exchange players during this period. However, no reports of player exchanges have emerged as yet.

Meanwhile, the BCCI is yet to inform the owners of the WPL franchises about the venue and dates for the second season of the five-team event. The Indian women’s team has international commitments until mid-January, and it is expected that WPL will begin not before February.

The franchises are also waiting to know whether WPL 2024 will be held in one particular city or on a home-away basis like the IPL. The BCCI has a lot on its plate as it is busy trying to make the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023 a memorable spectacle. The summit clash of the marquee event is set to take place on November 19 in Ahmedabad.