News of IPL 2014

The Indian Premier Leagueauction will be held on February 12, a  release from the BCCI said on Tuesday. And as reported by TOI on Tuesday, franchisees will be allowed to retain a maximum of five cricketers. The teams also have the option of buying back a limited number of cricketers through the 'right to match' system (joker's card). "The 2014 player auction will be held on 12 February, and if necessary, 13 February 2014. The venue will be announced soon," a BCCI release said on Tuesday.

"A franchise may sign up to a maximum of 5 players (either capped or uncapped, no more than four of whom may be capped Indians) who were in its squad in 2013, including those who were unavailable during the season and those who were taken as temporary replacements," the release further said.

The salary cap of every team would be Rs 60 crore. And if any team retains all their five players, a sum of Rs 39 crore would be deducted from the actual purse. A franchise which retains the maximum of 5 players, all of whom are capped, will have a balance of Rs 21 crore to pay the remaining up to 22 players in its squad for the 2014 season, BCCI said while adding that retained players may not be traded.

Reacting to the new regulations and retention rules, the teams expressed mixed feelings. Sources said that the teams wanted more matching cards, something which allows them to keep a player at the price bid by another franchise.

In the Singapore IPL workshop in November, the teams had proposed that those who retained five cricketers should not be given any matching card. However, BCCI has not been so generous and has offered only one matching card to a team which retains three to five players. And if a team retains one or two cricketers, it would get two matching cards. Those who won't retain any player would get three matching cards.

A top BCCI official justified the move, suggesting that it would deter teams from retaiing many players which means more players in the auction pool and a more level-playing field. A couple of teams also supported the BCCI, saying the new regulations were better as the price factor would discourage teams from retaining the permitted number of players. "These regulations are certainly better than the ones which were made three years ago. We're happy that IPL has balanced it well," a franchise official said.

While defending the retention rule, a top IPL official said that these regulations are made keeping in mind certain requirements. "You can't change the core team because fans' sentiments are with the players. After six years, the fans can only identify with the big players who play for their teams. I am sure the fans can't imagine their big stars playing for some other side."

source: timesofindia