The ban imposed on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) for the next two editions of the Indian Premier League has opened doors for other corporate and large business houses to stand a chance of owning an IPL team. These two IPL teams were banned as key officials of the CSK and RR were found guilty of spot-fixing and betting scandal.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has already started the bidding process and interested companies have bought bid documents from the BCCI. Though the IPL may have been in the news for all the wrong reasons, the corporate houses are not going to miss a chance of being a part of the lucrative series.
Twenty one corporate and large business houses may have already brought the bid from BCCI, but it does not necessarily mean that all of these interested candidates will play a role in the bid.
"There are 21 corporates and large business houses which have bought bid documents. Now buying bid documents doesn't necessarily mean participating in the bid," PTI quoted a top BCCI official as saying.
Among the big names in the industry, which are known to have bought the bid are Star India, Cycle Brand Agarbatti has and Chettinad Cement. Star India is one of the household media and entertainment company in India with more than 40 channels under their banner, while the Chettinad Cement is a 50-year old company.
Group M, Intex Mobile, Haldirams, Yes Bank are also said to have bought the bid document.
Despite such huge names in the bid, one should not be surprised if a relatively lesser known corporate house bags the bid for a period of two years. After the two new teams are decided, it will be interesting to note which players are going to represent the two new teams in the ninth edition of the IPL.
