The officials of Indian Premier League (IPL) have been working extra hours to help the embattled cricket league move forward following the suspension of two teams – Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals – by Justice Lodha Committee.
With the suspension of the teams, the IPL is currently left with only six sides. And, for the competition to take shape, a minimum of eight teams are needed. Hence the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to float tenders for new franchises soon.
The process of filing tenders is expected to be transparent, with the BCCI eager to make sure this process does not invite any negative publicity or controversy.
"The process has to be transparent and in a situation like this, tenders will probably be floated inviting bidders for new teams," a source told TOI.
The BCCI working group, which comprises Rajeev Shukla, Sourav Ganguly, Anurag Thakur, Aniruddh Chaudhary and the board's legal counsel, Usha Nath Banerje, has been formed to study the Lodha committee report. The members have since been meeting various IPL franchise owners.
The working group is said to have met Kolkata Knight Riders officials, including co-owner Jay Mehta and CEO Venky Mysore on Wednesday, but IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla did not divulge any details as to what transpired in the meeting.
"As we are talking to all franchises similarly we met KKR today. We can't divulge the details of the meeting but ideas were exchanged," Shukla told PTI.
The working group has been given six weeks to study the Lodha committee report and give recommendations after consulting the stakeholders.
A key member of the group, Anurag Thakur, believes that the group can complete its work within the allotted six weeks as it has made arrangements for important meetings in the next few days.
"As we have been allotted six weeks, we have lined up a lot of meetings over the next few days. Hopefully, we might complete our work before six weeks," said Thakur.
