IPL 2022 Mega-Auction Dates, Venue to Reportedly Change due to Coronavirus Surge?

The Coronavirus surge in India has postponed the Ranji Trophy and other domestic tournaments and there are reports that the IPL 2022 mega-auction might also be postponed.

The IPL Auction (Image credit: Twitter)
By Siddharth vishwanathan | Jan 6, 2022 | 2 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

India is in the third wave of the coronavirus pandemic. The country reported close to 90,000 cases in the last 24 hours as the Omicron variant surges. With the latest surge, the BCCI has decided to postpone the Ranji Trophy, Col CK Nayudu Trophy, and the Senior Women’s T20 tournament. However, the latest pandemic wave has cast a shadow on the IPL as well. According to media reports, the IPL 2022 mega-auction might also be impacted. Initially, the IPL 2022 mega-auction dates were February 12 and 13. The venue was going to be Bangalore. But, the latest situation has demanded a rethink.

According to a report in InsideSport, the BCCI is yet to book the hotels in Bangalore. However, the Karnataka government is issuing a fresh directive on COVID-19 protocols. This will include a cap on the number of people gathering in a place. This might impact the BCCI’s plans to hold the IPL mega-auction. There are reports that the BCCI might even change the venue.

If not Bangalore, then Kolkata, Kochi, and Mumbai have been kept on standby for the auction. But, all three cities are witnessing a massive surge. Mumbai, in particular, is being wrecked by the Omicron variant. With restrictions high in Mumbai, the chances for Kochi or Kolkata to host the mega-auction increases. But, cases are high even in these two cities.

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Coronavirus forces postponement of BCCI’s domestic tournaments

The BCCI has postponed the Ranji Trophy, Col CK Nayudu Trophy, and the Senior Women’s T20 League due to a surge in coronavirus cases. India has reported close to 50,000 cases in the 24 hours as the Omicron variant surges in the country. For the second consecutive year, the Ranji Trophy has been postponed due to the coronavirus situation. The 2020/21 season was canceled due to the pandemic. The 2021/22 season was expected to begin from January 13 and go on till March 20. But, the rising caseload has forced the BCCI to postpone the events.

“BCCI does not want to compromise the safety of the players, support staff, match officials, and other participants involved. Hence, we decided to put the three tournaments on hold till further notice. The BCCI will continue to assess the situation and take a call at the start of the tournaments accordingly. BCCI thanks and continues to appreciate the efforts of the healthcare workers, state associations, players, support staff, match officials, and all the service providers who put their best foot forward to host more than 700 matches across 11 tournaments in the current 2021-22 domestic season,” a press release from the BCCI said.

The 2020/21 season was canceled due to the second wave. There is concern that this season of the Ranji Trophy might also get impacted.





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