The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) finally made a call regarding the fate of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR), deciding not to terminate the two franchises from the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL).
Both the teams were suspended by the Supreme Court of India-appointed Justice Lodha committee few months ago for their involvement in spot-fixing during the IPL 2013.
As recommended by the Lodha panel, CSK and RR will have to miss the ninth and tenth edition of the IPL. However, two new teams will be added soon.
After CSK and RR's stipulated ban period of two years gets over, the franchises will be back in the IPL, which shall than witness 10 teams in the popular T20 league.
The tenders for the new IPL teams are likely to be floated soon by the BCCI. The cricket body should not have any problems for new teams despite the IPL having grabbed a negative image of late. Business firms must have already chalked their plans to feature in the IPL.
However, there were strong speculations regarding the possibility of CSK and RR being terminated, hence the two franchises might be considered lucky.
It remains to be seen as to what happens with those players associated with the two teams. Are the two new franchises going to bid for these set of players? Only time will tell.
