Next year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) could see players shifting teams in the middle of the tournament, a la English Premier League.
A proposal to start the games an hour earlier will also be made by the BCCI to broadcasters Star India, IPL Chairman Rajeev Shukla told The Indian Express.
The idea to allow mid term transfers would allow teams struck by injuries to find a replacement and also allow players who are often benched due to non availability of slots in playing XI.
“Every IPL owner agreed to have this in forthcoming season. It will give chance to those players who are good but are not getting opportunities to be part of playing XI of any IPL side,” said Shukla.
Last season, Faf du Plessis played just two games for Rising Pune Supergiant and Shakib Al Hasan featured in one game for Kolkata Knight Riders.
The other major point of discussion would be on scheduling of the matches.
On days when there are two games, the matches usually begin at 4 pm and 8 pm. With some of the 8 pm games getting over after midnight, it’s inconvenient for the audience on the ground and those who watch on TV.
“It was just a thought (starting game at 7 pm) and everyone welcomed it but first we need to speak to broadcaster and take their nod. We will work on modalities then. There have been many centers where traveling is major concern. All the issues were discussed and we all thought to start the game but early,” said Shukla.
“We are having an IPL governing council meeting (in New Delhi on December 5) soon to finalise all these points,” he added.