IPL 2022 mega auction: BCCI may shift venue from Bengaluru due to COVID-19 restrictions

The BCCI may have to shift the mega auction if they can’t secure a venue which adheres to all COVID-19 guidelines in Bengaluru.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are faced with a fresh hurdle in organising the mega auction for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 season. The rising COVID-19 cases in India along with fresh restrictions imposed by the Karnataka government mean that Bengaluru as the venue for the IPL 2022 mega auction is still under the scanner.

The BCCI may have to shift the mega auction if they can’t secure a venue which adheres to all COVID-19 guidelines in Bengaluru. As a result, the dates of the auction might also need to change. On Tuesday (January 4), the BCCI postponed all domestic competitions including the Ranji Trophy.

While the BCCI earmarked February 12 and 13 for auctions in Bengaluru, the Indian board is yet to book hotels. According to InsideSport website, the two hotels BCCI were looking at have asked the board to wait for a few days as the Karnataka government is due to issue fresh COVID-19 restrictions. The restrictions are expected to include a cap on gatherings preventing BCCI to host the auctions.