Mini-IPL as replacement for CL T20 idea not formally discussed yet by the IPL governing council

Mini-IPL idea not discussed yet, says Shukla

Amid reports that the Champions League T20 is set to be replaced by a mini-IPL, the IPL governing council said it did not officially discuss an alternative to the Champions League.

"There was no discussion on CLT20 scrapping. That decision can only be taken at CLT20 governing council which also includes Cricket Australia and Cricket South Africa," IPL chairman Rajiv Shula said in New Delhi. According to ESPNcricinfo, a member of the IPL governing council said that though it is not official yet, but the BCCI is thinking of replacing the scrapped tournament with a mini-IPL that will be two weeks long, and will consist of eight teams.

Officially, the process is such that the working committee has to meet first. This is likely to happen either at the end of July or the beginning of August. Only after that can the proposal be set before the governing council officially.

While it may be too early to talk about where this mini-IPL might be hosted, but the members were given the idea that it may be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). UAE is in favour because it hosted the first phase of IPL 2014, and it was received quite well.

Shukla also remarked about the low valuation issue facing Chennai Super Kings. He said that the IPL governing council did not discuss this issue too, as the working committee had decided to seek legal advice. An independent valuer has been asked to consult on the issue, and a report to this effect will be discussed at the next meeting.

As for IPL 2016, it remains unaffected till now. The retention formula hasn’t been changed. But from IPL 2017 onwards, the retention formula could be changed to allow a team to retain only four players instead of the five that they are now allowed.