The mini IPL unlikely to happen due to time scarcity
Jul 9, 2016 at 5:57 PM
BCCI’s brainchild the mini IPL is likely to meet the dead end as all eight teams of the IPL has not agreed to play the tournament this year. The tournament may start next year in the North America or in the UAE.
IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla said that the tournament will not happen because of lack of time. Players will also be unavailable as they will be busy to play the domestic and international tournament. BCCI’s commitment to hold the Duleep Trophy is another reason to shelve the mini IPL. The Duleep trophy will be held during a September window.
Though BCCI officials were available to comment, but Rajeev Shukla said a final decision has not been taken. He, however, has indicated the difficulty when he said, “There is no doubt there is not much time but we will take a call once secretary Ajay Shirke comes. We will have a meeting in Delhi soon.”
The franchise owners, who are told to meet in Mumbai on July 13, have not been told about the decision but they have been informed about the cancellation of the meeting. “The meeting has been put off indefinitely. So there is a message there,” a franchise official said which means the tournament will not happen this year.
An anonymous source also said the focus of BCCI is currently on the IPL rather than mini IPL. It means BCCI wants to fast track the broadcast deal for the tournament which should be closed before this month’s end.
BCCI officials met Sony officials in London. There is a speculation that some discussions could have also taken place with IMG’s sports wing, who are known for hosting big tournaments in any new potential sports market. BCCI has planned the mini IPL in the wake of the abolishment of Champions trophy which failed to attract the viewers.