New Delhi: Hours after reports of a rift between franchises surfaced, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) released a neutral statement regarding the IPL 2025 meeting held on Wednesday.
At the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai, all ten franchise owners convened to discuss various IPL-related issues, primarily focusing on player retentions and auction size, with some questioning the necessity of an auction at all, alongside other business aspects of the league.
A unified decision was elusive as the team owners were split on the issues of player retention and auction size. Franchises such as Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad advocated for eight to ten retentions, whereas others, including Delhi Capitals, favoured adhering to the original mega auction system, which allows for a complete refresh of player rosters every three years.
A fervent discussion ensued between KKR’s Shah Rukh Khan and PBKS’s Ness Wadia over the need for a mega auction.
Subsequently, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah announced that a structured conversation had occurred among the owners.
“On Wednesday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India facilitated a productive discussion with the ten franchise owners regarding various topics pertinent to the forthcoming IPL season,” he stated in a press release.
He further reported that the franchise owners presented their input on player regulations and other commercial elements, such as centralized merchandising, licensing, and gaming. The BCCI will consider these inputs at the IPL Governing Council to deliberate and assess before establishing the IPL player regulations, added Shah in the statement.
