Board of Control for Cricket India (BCCI) is all set to host the 2025 auction of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in Saudi Arabia. According to reports in Cricbuzz, it is learned that the governing body may host the event in Riyadh or Jeddah.
The IPL 2025 auction will be held in the last week of November. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is also keeping an option open in Dubai, UAE, but reports have claimed that the venue is not the preferred option as they want to hold the auction in Saudi Arabia.
Reports claimed that finding a suitable venue or hotel has been difficult for the BCCI so far. It was learned that defining a place in Saudi Arabia is particularly difficult. They are also struggling with pricing as costs in Saudi Arabia are much higher than in Dubai, where the previous auction was held in December 2023.
The BCCI has also shortlisted London as the venue to host the IPL 2025 auction
Earlier, there were reports that the BCCI had also shortlisted London to host the IPL 2025 auction, but they backed out of the plan. This was because they thought cold weather would be difficult in the UK at the end of November and so the UK was ruled out as a destination and Saudi Arabia became the main destination.
BCCI is reportedly looking for a venue that can host the IPL 2025 auction over two days and also accommodate the entire IPL entourage. It includes a delegation of 10 franchises and a large contingent that includes two broadcasters – Jio and Disney Star.
BCCI recently announced the retention policy for the IPL 2025 mega-auction
BCCI recently announced the retention policy for the IPL 2025 mega auction. According to the rules, each franchise will be allowed to retain 6 players, which also includes a Right to Adapt (RTM) provision. This will be the largest number of teams allowed to be retained in the history of the tournament.
As per the policy, all 10 franchises will be awarded a purse of INR 120 crores, which is the highest in the history of the tournament. There will also be no limit on how many Indian or foreign players can be retained. Also, if a team keeps only three players, they will be given RTM cards for auction
MS Dhoni will talk to CSK officials about his future in IPL 2025
One of the retention rules was potentially there so that MS Dhoni could participate in IPL 2025. Under this, players who have not played international cricket for more than five years can be classified as ‘uncapped’ and retained at a cost of Rs 4 crore. .
This opens the doors for MS Dhoni to play for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL next year without risking the future of the team. Now it will all depend on the goalkeeper-maker if he wants to play another season in the league or not, especially since he is in high demand.
Reports in Cricbuzz also said that MS Dhoni will meet Chennai Super Kings officials regarding the decision to play in the league next year. The two sides will reportedly meet in Mumbai in mid-October. The goalkeeper recently indicated that he will decide on his future after the retention policy ends.
