The BCCI is confident that there is no imminent threat to the continuation of the IPL.
It may be too early to infer on any likely eventuality but what is certain is that the IPL could face some kind of legal obstacles.
Both Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals have indicated they will take the legal route.
The BCCI thinks that it is strongly placed vis-a-vis legal matters and is confident of withering away any legal challenges.
The Board had run the matter through attorney-general G Vahnavati before taking its decision. Also, BCCI president Shashank Manohar is an eminent lawyer himself, and Arun Jaitley, a signatory of Sunday’s decision, is a renowned legal luminary.
The Board is confident that there is no imminent threat to the continuation of the IPL.
The question before the Board is what if Team Kochi fails to set its house in order within 10 days. In that case, the Board will have to change its plan. That means the scheduled player auction in November could be postponed to January-February.
“I’m not going to speculate on that,” said a top BCCI official, hoping that Kochi will successfully meet the 10-day deadline and be ready for the player auction in November.
But what it may not have thought of is likely resistance from a possible union of owners. Some owners like Vijay Mallya and Shah Rukh Khan have already expressed reservations over IPL’s player retention policy. However, what needs to be seen is how far they will go in their efforts to oppose the Board’s policies. Till IPL 4 begins, there could be a lot of action off the field too.
Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals have said they are shocked by the decision. “We are shocked and surprised... particularly without issuance of the show-cause notice described to the media 10 days ago, which was never received,” the team management said.
“We have always conducted ourselves transparently in accordance with our contract terms and only desire fair and unbiased treatment. If the only way to achieve this is through legal recourse, then that is a shame for those that seek to invest in sport in India.”
Kings XI said they are surprised and saddened. “KXIP reiterates that the company has followed all terms and conditions and has not violated any agreement.”
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