Two teams of T20 Mumbai League terminated ahead of third season

T20 Mumbai League received a body blow on Thursday when the contracts of two of its participating teams — Shivaji Park Lions (Team Mumbai South Central) and Sobo SuperSonics (Team Mumbai South) were terminated ahead of the third season this year.

Probability Sports, the organisers of the eight-team franchise-based event took the strict decision and shot off an email to Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) conveying its decision, according to Mid-day. The decision came ahead of an informal meeting planned with the team owners on February 18.

In the mail, it was said that the two teams were terminated “for material breach of their respective payment obligations as per the relevant Participation Agreement and related legal documents”. It said the two teams no longer had the possession of team operating rights in relation to the T20 Mumbai League.

“Therefore, they have no standing vis-a-vis the League and should not be invited or be present at any meeting relating to the League. Any attendance by them would be contrary to the extant legal position and could potentially limit our remaining remedies against them which we are currently pursuing,” the email added.

Shivaji Park Lions seek discussion on issues

The authorities of Shivaji Park Lions acknowledged having received the mail. Owner Naresh Jain told Mid-day that he has written back to Probability Sports seeking a discussion on the issues and sorting them out. He said he was yet to get a reply in response to his letter. Gurmeet Singh, the owner of the other terminated team Sobo SuperSonics, did not respond to any communication from the news outlet.

Both Shivaji Park Lions and Sobo SuperSonics made it to the finals of the league in 2018 and 2019, respectively, but failed to clinch the title. While Shivaji Park Lions lost to Triumph Knights Mumbai North East by three runs, SuperSonics lost to North Mumbai Panthers by just 12 runs. Lions’ Shivam Dube was adjudged the man of the series in the opening edition while Panthers’ Prithvi Shaw won it the following year.

The Mumbai League was formed in 2018 to spot the best of the local talents of the city and bring them under a common umbrella.

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