Mumbai: Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals survived the axe, but face a two-year suspension after the Board of Control for Cricket in India decided to replace the suspended teams with two new franchises.
At its working committee meeting here Sunday, the board said it would invite fresh tenders for two teams. The working committee meeting, the first after Shashank Manohar became BCCI chief, decided the Justice Lodha Committee’s interim recommendations would be fully implemented. The AGM date was fixed for November 9.
CSK, RR to return in 2018
Acting on the recommendation made by the Supreme Court-appointed Justice Lodha Committee panel, the BCCI on Sunday decided to suspend Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals for a period of two years.
The Board will now invite fresh tenders for two years to replace the two teams. The two new franchise may not necessarily belong to the two cities, IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla informed at the conclusion of the Board’s working committee meeting here in Mumbai.
“We will see to it that interest of the player is protected. The selection of the cities will depend on the bidders who will bid for their teams and be the highest bidder.”
With the Board not deciding to terminate the two controversy-marred teams completely, there is a possibility of the IPL becoming a 10-team affair from 2018. Shukla said the Board had not decided on composition of the teams after two years.
“Bidders for the two new teams will be invited for two years only. The decision regarding the teams will be passed in the AGM. After two years decision will be taken whether IPL will be eight-team affair or ten-team affair.”
Asked if he was optimistic about two new teams agreeing to come on board for a period of just two years, Shukla said,
“I am confident that we will be successful in getting two new franchisee for the next two years.”
The BCCI has decided to hold its Annual General Meeting on November 9 here at Cricket Centre. The meeting holds significance as the Board is likely to arrive at a decision on playing Pakistan apart from finalising contract for women cricketers.
Vivo named new IPL title sponsor
Meanwhile, Vivo, a Chinese mobile company replaced PepsiCo as the title sponsor of the IPL. The beverage giant decided to pull out mid-way through its five-year contract that was to end in 2017.
“The IPL title sponsorship right has been assigned to M/S Vivo mobiles. Vivo is to give the Bank Guarantee in next ten days,” the BCCI said in a statement.
While the details of the new financial deal could not be ascertained, PepsiCo had bagged the rights at Rs 396 crore for five seasons. The Board also decided to extend the contract of Nike, the Indian cricket team’s official apparel sponsor.
Board takes steps clean up mess
With the Board president Shashank Manohar giving an impetus on transparency and getting rid of the conflict of interest, it was also announced that the official website will carry information on names of players and umpires who receive monthly gratis and one-time benefit amount.
The BCCI has appointed Dloitte for ‘Project Transformation’. “BCCI rules regarding conflict of interest and the amendments to the Rules and Regulations of the Board are being proposed for the consideration at the AGM,” the Board said in a statement.
Faced with regular complaints of associations not fully using the annual grant provided by the Board to run and develop the game, the Board decided to rope in PWC, a leading audit firm. The company will check on the utilisation of funds provided by the BCCI.
