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Cricket leaders bring winter player bidding back to India
BCCI officials plan to host the IPL 2027 auction in Goa on December 16. This decision brings the bidding event back to domestic soil following three consecutive overseas editions. Previous events took place in Dubai in 2023, Jeddah in November 2024, and Abu Dhabi in December 2025. Devajit Saikia, secretary of the cricket board, confirmed the coastal destination earlier in September. "This year, after hosting the IPL auction in three foreign locations, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi last year, we are going to host it in Goa in the month of December," he stated. Finding suitable venues during winter months traditionally presents logistical hurdles. IPL chairman Arun Dhumal noted that heavy marriage season bookings often disrupt domestic hosting plans. "Every year we try for this to happen in India, but we don't get the venue given the heavy marriage season. So, we definitely want it to be here this year, given that it would be a smaller auction and hopefully we will get the venue," Dhumal remarked. Goa's emerging infrastructure makes it a strategic alternative for sporting conventions outside major metropolitan hubs.
Winter bidding details
Franchises must finalize their lists of retained and released squad members by November 15, 2026. This upcoming December schedule serves as the final smaller bidding cycle before the next major franchise restructure. Interestingly, the proposed date directly clashes with a scheduled ODI match between India and Sri Lanka in Bengaluru.
Governing council members are currently collecting franchise feedback regarding the controversial Impact Player regulation. Valid until 2027, this rule permits teams to swap in specialist bowlers or batters during gameplay. Prominent cricketers like Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Shubman Gill, and Axar Patel have criticized the system for limiting genuine all-rounders. Regarding its future, Dhumal mentioned, "The matter is under discussion. Will take feedback from all the stakeholders and then take a call on this."
Image Courtesy: BCCI
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