Kochi Tuskers Kerala hopeful to stage an IPL rebirth

While Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) are all set to make an IPL return after serving a two-year ban, another defunct franchise Kochi Tuskers Kerala is also hoping to stage an IPL rebirth. The franchise representing Kochi played their last match on 18 May 2011, before its contract was terminated by the BCCI.
This was done due to an alleged breach of the contract by the consortium of five companies put together by Rendezvous Sports World.

It’s plea seeking to restrain the BCCI from encashing its bank guarantee of ₹1.56 billion was rejected by a single bench of Justice SF Vajifdar. However, the owners of this franchise now want the BCCI to reinstate it for the next editions of IPL. The demands were raised after BCCI approached the owners for an out-of-court settlement. But BCCI now finds itself at the wrong end of the court proceedings and instead will have to shell out Rs 1080 crore as compensation to the franchise.

The decision to opt for an out-of-court settlement was taken in the Special General Body Meeting (SGM) on Saturday. On the other hand, the CoA has now advised the co-owners of Kochi Tuskers Kerala to approach the BCCI in a formal way so as to gain re-entry into the league. Since the franchise was terminated after just 2 seasons some of its players are yet to receive their full payments.

Future possibilities

If Kochi somehow does manage to make its way into the next edition then IPL 11 will see a comeback of as many as 3 franchises. Also, the fate of Rising Pune Supergiant and Gujarat Lions, the two new franchises that had replaced CSK and RR after they were served a two-year ban has been sealed and they will not be given an extension.

BCCI though does not look keen to allow the defunct franchise a return to IPL and instead wants them to be satisfied with compensation.

“There is no chance of giving them their place back in IPL. They want them because they want to sell it? The only way out is for them to accept the one-time settlement and put the issue to rest,” a BCCI source was quoted as saying by the Indian Express.