BCCI consider launching 'mini-IPL' to replace Champions League T20

Rajeev Shukla confirmed that the idea of a ‘mini-IPL’ will be discussed seriously at the BCCI AGM on November 9

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering the introduction of a ‘mini-IPL’ featuring only Indian players to be held in the time slot that was previously allotted to the now scrapped Champions League T20, Times of India reports.

Sportskeeda had reported in early July that the BCCI was contemplating scrapping the Champions League T20 and replace it with Mini-IPL and two weeks later the Governing Council of the CLT20 had officially confirmed that the league was going to be discontinued with immediate effect.

The proposal was floated officially by BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur during the working committee meeting that was held last week to discuss the future of the Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals franchises in the IPL. The matter will now be discussed at length at the BCCI’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) to be held at Mumbai on November 9.

"We discussed various possibilities about doing something with the vacant CLT20 window. Launching a 'mini-IPL' was one of them. We will look into this possibility seriously. One of the proposals is about starting a league overseas," IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla told TOI.

According to TOI sources, the idea put forward by the BCCI secretary was met with appreciation by the various state associations who feel that a national T20 league, along the likes of Australia’s highly successful Big Bash League (BBL), will provide the youngsters from the states the perfect opportunity to showcase their skills as the proposed competition will be restricted to just the domestic players.

The TOI source said that the idea was "well-received by the other members" while a BCCI official was also quoted saying: "It is a lucrative concept for all."

The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) and Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) may not fully agree with those words however as the former has been staging the highly successful Karnataka Premier League (KPL) for four seasons while the latter is planning to launch a tournament of their own titled ‘Mumbai T20’.

However, the BCCI are of the opinion that the mushrooming trend of state associations coming up with their own T20 leagues was hurting the board’s image as there were doubts regarding the authenticity of the various owners and the persistent rumours of match-fixing.

"The problem with these state association-run T20 leagues (like the KPL presently) is that we aren't always sure about the background of the owners of these teams. We are also worried about spot fixing and match-fixing," said a source.

The proposed T20 tournament could also be a revamped version of the Syed Musthaq Ali T20 tournament which was launched from the 2008-09 season featuring teams playing in the Ranji Trophy. The new tournament will, however, have five zonal teams contesting along with a Board Presidents’ side.