Next year IPL is going to be super exciting with ten teams expected to clash for the coveted trophy. The Board of Control for Cricket in India or the BCCI has shortlisted six cities for the eventual two new franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022.
A data revealed that 65% of the total viewership of IPL 2020 was from Hindi region, which is why the cricket governing body has laid emphasis on Hindi-speaking regions and shortlisted teams keeping in mind the zonal imbalance and business opportunities.
The six cities shortlisted for the T20 extravaganza include Cuttack, Guwahati, and Ranchi from the East, Ahmedabad in the West, Lucknow in the Central Zone and Dharamsala in the North.
As per latest reports, the bidding for the two new IPL teams is set to take place on October 17. BCCI is reportedly planning to have an e-bidding for the new teams to be introduced through tender process.
The last day for queries with regard to bidding for the teams is September 21, but the bids can be picked till October 5. On August 31, the Governing Council of the IPL had invited bids for owning an IPL franchise and to acquire the right to own and operate one of the two new teams proposed to be introduced for partaking in the tournament from the 2022 season.
Only those satisfying the eligibility criteria set out in the Invitation to Tender (ITT) and subject to the other terms and conditions set out therein, shall be eligible to bid. A base price of Rs 2000 crore has been fixed for the new teams.
It is however clarified that merely purchasing this ITT does not entitle any person to bid. BCCI reserves the right to cancel or amend the bidding process at any stage in any manner without providing any reason.
But will Cuttack be able to find a place in IPL 2022? If national reports are anything to go by, Ahmedabad and Lucknow are the top contenders owing to the bigger capacity venues. Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad has a capacity of over 1 lakh and Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow has a capacity of 50,000.
In comparison, Barabati Stadium in Cuttack comes very close with a seating capacity of 45,000. Barabati was also an alternate home venue for the Kolkata Knight Riders in 2014 and was an adopted venue by former IPL team Deccan Chargers.
For now, all Odias are eagerly waiting to see Cuttack in the Indian Premier League.
(Video Credits: Editor - Partha Narayan Das, Producer: Sanchita Mondal)