IPL 2021: Will We See a New Team Join the Fray?  

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has grown exponentially in the last 10 odd years since its inception. It has not only grown to become one of the largest cricket leagues in the world, but it is also among the most expensive ones.

Now, as per the recent reports making rounds on the internet, a new franchise is all set to join the IPL and further add to the glamour of the competition.

IPL 2021 Expansion - Ahmedabad City Leads the RaceThe Board of Cricket Control of India (BCCI) is currently contemplating the expansion of the league by welcoming a ninth team to the club. Leading the race in this regard is Ahmedabad, followed by the likes of Lucknow and Kanpur.

Ahmedabad has all the right cards, especially considering that the city now boasts of the largest cricket stadium in the world. IPL organizers in 2021, if things go right, would love to see that stadium utilized to its potential.

However, at this point in time, it is speculation although it is likely that we will see confirmation on this by the end of December. Given that the player auctions for the IPL 2021 are also expected to take place around that time, the timing of it is perfect. After all, it makes sense to introduce a new team when there are fresh auctions taking place.

Obviously, this will also impact the way people bet on the IPL. If the 9th franchise were to build themselves a talented squad in the auctions, then there is no reason why the betting sites in India may not offer them lucrative, competitive odds.

With respect to the ownership of the new team, Adani Group and RPSG Group have expressed a strong interest in owning the franchise. For the Goenka group, it would be yet another venture in sports, with the first one coming in the Indian Super League where they co-own ATK Mohun Bagan. Additionally, Mohanlal - one of the most popular actors in South Indian Cinema - has also shown consideration in co-owning an IPL team.

Timing is Important: The IPL 2021 is scheduled to start sometime in March end or early April. With this, there are also rumours floating around of a mega-auction which will see a complete overhaul of the teams. While this will bring in much-needed relief for teams like Chennai Super Kings  (CSK) who are looking to chop and rebuild their team, it is equally critical to consider the timing of it all.

Cramming all of this in a span of four months is not an easy feat by any means. It is expected that the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the BCCI will take place in December; it is here that the board will decide whether to expand the league to nine teams and consequently, take a call on the player auctions.

Obviously, cricket fans in India have a lot to look forward to. From lucrative player auctions to high-octane matches ending in Super Overs, the league has seen it all and continues to surprise us even more.