New Delhi, November 17: Four fielding substitutes instead of the lone 12th man, pink balls in practice matches and abolishing the Icon Player status – these are just some of the innovations proposed in the 2011 edition of the Indian Premier League.
From next year, IPL would also be played under the supervision of the ICC Anti-Corruption and Security Unit, while players who skip the tournament despite not having any national assignment might have their contracts terminated.
The decisions came at the end of a franchisee workshop in Bangkok. The proposed expansion of the league with two new teams, however, saw opposition from Team Chennai.
‘‘The addition of two new franchises in Season 4 was discussed and 7 of the 8 present franchises were in favour of increasing the number of teams to ten,’’ said an IPL statement.
The Chennai Super Kings and some other team owners have raised an objection to increase in the number of IPL teams from 8 to 10 in 2011.It is further learnt that M S Dhoni, the team’s captain, is one name that India Cements don’t want to let go of among other things.
Two new teams being added to the IPL will mean a fresh auction of players, which could eventually not assure India Cements of their prized possession. A top official from Chennai Super Kings said, ‘‘Our representative was there and we took a view of things from our perspective. I cannot say anything more on this.’’
Meanwhile, other franchisees too are tightlipped over the developments.
CEO Sundar Raman, while refusing to name the franchisee which had raised an objection, told TOI on Monday, ‘‘There was a quorum to discuss the issue and franchisees deliberated on several aspects. It was not like one team in particular had any objection. The governing council will take the final decision.’’
Till the final decision is taken, speculation is already rife on the new entrants. It is no secret that the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG) is interested in buying a team – which they did attempt in 2007 too but failed – and that has already set tongues wagging on how elder brother Mukesh Ambani’s Mumbai Indians will react.
Whatever the reason, it is clear that not all eight franchisees are in sync as far as including new teams is concerned.
—Agencies