India cricket board BCCI planning on launching a 'mini IPL' in September

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has taken domestic T20 cricket by storm and The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is now planning on holding a 'mini IPL' in September. It is set to be a three-week event involving all eight IPL franchises, with the United States of America to be one of the possible destinations to host the event.

The idea was put forward during a meeting of the governing council in Dharamshala on 23 June with other venues also being considered. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), which hosted the first leg of the seventh edition of the Indian Premier League, is also being thought of as a possible venue. The proposal to conduct the event is likely to come up for ratification when the BCCI working committee next meet on 24 June.

"Space can be created on the cricket calendar because the T20 Champions League has been scrapped. We are proposing that all eight teams participate in the mini IPL. The venue has not been finalised but the US is one of the options", said a senior board official to the Indian Express.

"We are likely to discuss the feasibility of a mini-IPL. We want to identify a slot for the tournament because we want as many star players to participate if possible.

"The Mumbai Indians wanted to play a few games against another franchise. Their request has been turned down and instead a proposal to launch a mini IPL was floated," he further added.

The Indian cricket board had initially floated the idea of hosting the event last September in the UAE with the event consisting of only the top four teams playing in a league format leading to a knockout. The one problem of having the event in September is that India's domestic season is also scheduled to start at the same time. The Duleep Trophy competition is set to feature top stars, with the event set to be played with a pink ball under lights.