The BCCI is set to introduce a new T20 event, to be branded as mini IPl, outside India in September.
“In the month of September, the BCCI is willing to host a mini IPl or IPl overseas with all the eight teams participating,” BCCI president Anurag Thakur said at the conclusion of the Board’s Working Committee meeting here.
“It will be a shorter format, not home and away matches but a lesser number of matches. In a two-week window we should be able to complete it,” he said.
The BCCI move was on the cards with the scrapping of the Champions league T20 last year.
The details of the shortened version of IPl are yet to be chalked out and possible venues are US and UAE, which has already hosted part of the IPl in 2014.
Minutes after Thakur’s statement, the BCCI issued a release stating that “BCCI will explore the option of hosting Mini IPl overseas in September”.
Going overseas is not new to IPl as the entire 2009 edition was held in South Africa due to the general election in India. Anil Kumble’s appointment as the head coach of the Indian team was also approved at the meeting.
In another significant decision, the Committee approved that an Under-19 Cricketer can represent India only once in the Under 19 World Cup and any player entering the system at Under 19 stage can play only two seasons of U-19 cricket.
Amongst other decisions taken, the BCCI will now have a separate marketing budget for the promotion of the Test cricket.
“The BCCI and the State Units will work together towards promotion and marketing of International matches,” said the BCCI statement as the Indian team gets ready for a busy home season consisting of 13 Tests.
The Working Committee also approved the Technical Committee’s recommendation to hold Ranji Trophy matches at neutral venues.
In another big change to domestic cricket, the Committee announced a new T20 league in place of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
“First, all state teams will play an Inter zonal league in their respective zones. All five zones selecting a zonal side to play an Inter Zonal league will follow it,” the released added.
The release also stated that BCCI will start annual awards for state associations in categories like best website, best Facebook page, best Twitter handle, best Instagram, best media facility and best media operations.
BCCI scraps Syed Mushtaq Ali
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) working committee on Friday decided to replace the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament with a new domestic league in the country.
Apart from appointing former India skipper Anil Kumble as the head coach of the national team for an one-year term on Thursday, the board’s first annual four-day conclave, which concluded with the all-powerful working committee on Friday announced a couple of key decisions.
Among the few crucial decisions, the board decided to do away with the Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy and instead play a new inter-zonal T20 league.
“First, all state teams will play an inter zonal league in their respective zones. And then all five zones selecting a zonal side to play an Inter Zonal league,” BCCI secretary Ajay Shirke said in a statement.
The working committee also approved the suggestions of the junior committee that an under-19 cricketer can represent India only once in the International Cricket Council (ICC) U-19 World Cup. Also any player entering the system at U-19 stage can play only two seasons in that age category.
“Working Committee approved the following suggestions of the junior committee. 1. Under-19 cricketer can represent India only once in the ICC under-19 World Cup. 2. Any player entering the system at under-19 stage can play only two seasons of under-19 cricket,” he said.
The working committee also approved the technical committee’s recommendation to hold Ranji Trophy matches at neutral venues while the board will explore options of hosting a mini Indian Premier league overseas in September.
“Technical committee recommendation to hold Ranji Trophy matches at neutral venues was approved. BCCI will explore the option of hosting mini IPl overseas in September.”
In an effort to revive interests in the traditional format, the working committee also announced that it will have a separate marketing budget in the coming season for the longest version of the game. “To popularise Test cricket, BCCI will have a separate marketing budget in the coming season. The BCCI and the state units will work together towards promotion and marketing of International matches.”
“BCCI will enter into venue agreements with the associations hosting international matches in the coming season, defining their roles and responsibilities and minimum standards required,” he added.