IPL hope: Facebook page ‘Bring Back Kochi Tuskers’ launched

Kochi: Calls for an IPL team representing Kerala have gained momentum with the suspension of two IPL teams- Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings. Enthusiasts have already started a Facebook campaign and thousands joined to cheer for the now defunct Kochi Tuskers Kerala.

(Photo: Screengrab)

The Supreme Court-appointed Justice Lodha Committee's suspending two teams had come as a shocker for cricket fans but Kerala fans keep their fingers crossed for an IPL team after unveiling 'Bring Back Kochi Tuskers Kerala' page on Facebook.

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The page drums up support for reviving Kochi city as a franchise in the next IPL. Photographs of the then captain Mahela Jayawardene, star batsman Brendon McCullum and local lad Sreesanth are doing the rounds on social media.

According to Sajith Kumar, an NRI based in Singapore, the termination of Koch Tuskers Kerala was rather harsh, given the state of affairs at IPL.

“As a cricket fan I will cheer a team having roots in Kerala”, he said. Sajith, who is also managing the Facebook page, added that the management of Kochi Tuskers Kerala would do something to bring his favourite team back."

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In 2011, the Tuskers’ contract was terminated by BCCI because of an alleged breach of contract by the Kochi franchise.

But things changed with a judicial committee asking the Board of Control for Cricket in India to pay Rs 550 crore to IPL franchise Kochi Tuskers. It is learnt that owners of Kochi franchise wanted their team to be fielded in the next IPL season. BCCI is expected to challenge the arbitration order before the apex court.