Board officials set to discuss FTP in Monday’s meeting
MUMBAI: With Indian cricket’s broadcast deal up for sale, the focus of BCCI officials will be to find a way to manipulate ICC’s Future Tours Programme( FTP) to get the most out of it. The FTP, will be on top of the agenda at BCCI’s Special General Meeting in New Delhi on Monday. In June, Vivo bid Rs 2199 crore to become IPL title sponsor for five years.
But finding broadcasters willing to splurge for the national team’s TV rights may not be that easy. It was a win-win situation in the current deal as India played 90 per cent of their cricket at home in 2016-17. In 2018, India play mostly abroad. Hence, to attract bidders, BC CI will have to get the FTP right for 2019-2024.
A meeting between the Committee of Administrators and BC CI officials has en trusted treasurer Anirudh Chaudhary with chalking out the FTP. The focus will be to have a strong home schedule and avoid the current situation where anew broadcaster faces a barr en season. The idea is to host games in October-November and February-March.
There will also be discussion on playing days, which skipper Virat Kohli wants to be pruned. Players have the backing of the CoA but Board officials insist it is its prerogative to decide schedule. The SGM has to clear a compensation of around Rs 850 crore to defunct IPL franchise Kochi Tuskers Kerala as well as lift the ban on the Raj as than association.