RPS owner Sanjiv Goenka wants to continue his association with the IPL

Sanjiv Goenka owned Rising Pune Supergiant might not be a part of next year’s IPL, but the business magnate has not yet ruled out continuing his association with the cash-rich league in the 2018 edition. Rising Pune along with the Gujarat Lions franchise came on board on a two-year contract with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). However, with the Chennai Super Kings and the Rajasthan Royals back after a two-year suspension, there won’t be anymore place for either of them.

Acting Secretary of the Board, by Amitabh Choudhary also categorically stated that the IPL would only be an eight-team competition. The Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kings XI Punjab and the Delhi DareDevils are the five constant franchises right through the 10 years of the T20 league. The Super Kings and the Royals have been around for eight of those years, while the Sunrisers Hyderabad made their debut in 2013.

Sanjeev Goenka might have nascent plans

However, when asked by The Telegraph if it was a huge regret to not be associated with IPL anymore, Goenka responded saying, “I don’t know whether I will be there or not. Let us see.”

Playing close to the pad, Goenka when pressed if he had plans to acquire one of the eight existing franchises added, “It wouldn’t be right for me to say anything, except that I enjoyed my two years in the league.”

The Maharashtra-based franchise was initially known as ‘Rising Pune Supergiants’. However, the owners opted to change the team name to ‘Rising Pune Supergiant’ on 26 March 2017. After a disappointing inaugural season, the team turned around tables to reach the finals of the latest edition. But, much to the disappointment of the fans, the franchise lost the 2017 IPL final to Mumbai Indians by 1 run, which was the team’s last game in the IPL.