Kochi on its way to field a team in IPL-4

The cloud over the Kochi franchise of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has cleared and it is set to open its innings in the fourth edition of the gala event.

Refuting media reports that the newest IPL franchise had got into a tussle with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over ownership issues, Vivek Venugopal, co-owner of the franchise, said today that relevant documents had been submitted with the apex body and all pending issues will be resolved by April 12.

Speculations were rife that the BCCI was going to cancel their bid amidst reports that 25 per cent shares of the franchise — owned by Rendezvous Sports World Limited (RSWL) — had been sold to ‘unknown’ persons.

“The report was absolutely baseless and work on the formation of the franchise and the team is going on smoothly,” Venugopal told reporters.

IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi’s tweets also helped clear the air: “These were all rumours and formalities with the Kochi franchise is progressing without any hindrance.”

T C Mathew, Secretary, Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) said the reports were baseless and were perhaps fabricated with an intention to sabotage the Kochi IPL team.

However, observers said since RSWL — an unknown entity until it came into reckoning with the second highest bid in IPL history of of Rs 1,533 crore — won the franchise there were “some problems”.

The fact that there was not enough clarity over the ownership pattern and the initial fund raising of the team led to the latest rumours. It was also said that some of the team owners, based in Gujarat, had threatened to withdraw from the team amidst reports that the Gujarat Chief Minister and leading businessmen from the state were very keen on having an Ahmedabad franchise for the next edition of IPL. “So a sabotage move cannot be ruled out,” said Kochi-based cricket fans.

When Shashi Tharoor was touted as the “guiding angel” of the Kerala franchise the local media came up with reports suggesting Venugopal was the face but Tharoor was the man behind the deal. Soon after Tharoor cleared the air with his comments “I’m just a mentor” and left it to the consortium partners to name the side. “It’s up to Mr Gaekwad (one of the partners of the group) to decide on this.”

The political circles in Kerala were stunned by his move and parties like CPI (M) had demanded an enquiry into his involvement in the bid.

Although the Kochi IPL team is a reality now, the consortium behind the team is yet to register a body to run the show. The management is also striving hard to get a brand ambassador who is likely to have a Kerala connection. Bollywood stars John Abraham, Asin and Vidya Balan are being considered for the post.