IPL 2021 Mini-Auction to happen in second week of February; UAE could possibly host IPL again

The 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League is just a few months away. The preparations for the tournament have begun as a BCCI member has confirmed to Mirror that the mini auction for IPL 2021 will happen in the second week of February. As per reports, the auction could take place around February 11. 

Another exciting development that has happened is that the franchises will have to declare their list of retained and released players before January 21. The IPL Governing Council has also opened the trade window for pre-season transfers between the franchises. 

The IPL Governing Council had a virtual meeting on Monday (January 4). Earlier, the BCCI was keen to conduct the IPL 2021 competition in India. However, after the meeting, the officials have decided to look at how the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy pans out. Here’s what the BCCI member, who knows about this development, told Mirror:

”How we approach the next IPL is dependent on how the Mushtaq Ali plays out.”

The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy will begin this Sunday. The board has formed six giant bio-bubbles across the country for this competition. The United Arab Emirates had hosted the 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League. 

If there are any issues during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, a possibility exists that IPL 2021 could move to the Gulf nation once again. The final decision about the venue will be taken in the next Governing Council meeting. 

Till then, the board will note how the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy pans out in the bio-secure bubbles. The fans are very excited for IPL 2021 Mini Auction. Some big names like Suresh Raina will return to the competition. Besides, Mitchell Starc, Dawid Malan, and other top overseas players will likely go under the hammer in the IPL 2021 Mini Auction.