IPL 2021: BCCI suggests increasing overseas’ players limit from 4 to 5 amid of new IPL team

The reports of BCCI planning a mega auction, as well as organising a bid for a new franchise, possibly from the city of Ahmedabad, are doing the rounds in the media ever since the conclusion of IPL 2020 in Dubai on November 10.

Holders Mumbai Indians defeated Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2020 final to grab their fifth title – which is an unprecedented record.

Buoyed with the tournament’s success in the UAE, across three venues and over a period of 55 days, the BCCI is mulling to rake in the moolah and make up for the losses incurred due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Apparently, most of the franchises are averse to the idea of adding an extra team in the upcoming season for they are yet to recover from the losses incurred this year due to multiple reasons.

However, Rajasthan Royals co-owner Manoj Badale recently backed the suggestion of former India captain Rahul Dravid that the time is ripe to expand the IPL in terms of the number of teams. Badale opined that a nine-team IPL in 2021 is “definitely possible”.

Read More | India to wear the retro jersey during ODI and T20I series against Australia

Amidst all these talks, a BCCI official has reportedly suggested the board to increase the cap of four overseas players in a playing eleven to five to help the franchises strike a balance.

As per the existing rule, any franchise can field a maximum of four overseas players in their playing XI during a match.

“There are quality overseas players who are warming the bench every season because of the restriction. An added overseas player will balance out that need,” a Times of India report quoted the BCCI official as suggesting to the board.

The TOI report also claimed that since the quality of a team’s core will be diluted with the expansion of the number of teams from eight to ten, the BCCI will have to ensure that the balance of every side is more or less the same to ensure a level playing field.