New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah on Saturday confirmed that IPL 2022 will begin in the last week of March and will run until May end. The senior BCCI official also said that this year's IPL will be hosted in India and the IPL 15 mega auction will take place on Feb 12-13. BCCI will lock in venues before that.
"I am delighted to confirm that the 15th season of the IPL will start in the last week of March and will run until May end. A majority of the team owners expressed their wish that the tournament be held in India," BCCI Secretary Jay Shah said, ANI reported.
"The BCCI was always keen on staging the 2022 edition that will see two new teams – Ahmedabad and Lucknow – in India. I can tell you that we will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that IPL stays in India
"BCCI has not compromised on the health & safety of its stakeholders in the past & will concurrently work on Plan B since COVID19 situation with new variants remains fluid. Mega IPLAuction will take place on Feb 12-13th & we'll lock in venues before that," he added.
News agency ANI had earlier reported that BCCI wants IPL 2022 to be held in India without crowds, with Mumbai and Pune being the two preferred cities.
However, India is currently battling the third wave of Coronavirus and if situation worsens, United Arab Emirates and South Africa have reportedly been selected as backup options for hosting IPL 2022.