IPL GC to appeal against arbitration ruling
The IPL governing council (GC) which met on Wednesday in New Delhi have recommended that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) should appeal former Chief Justic RC Lahoti’s arbitration report that has asked the board to pay Rs 550 crore to defunct IPL franchise Kochi Tuskers.
However, it’s reliably learnt that IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla will try to resolve the issue with an out-of-court settlement with the BCCI likely to offer Rs 350 crore to the franchise.
The Indian Express had reported a day earlier how the BCCI had received a setback with Lahoti’s report ruling that they compensate the Tuskers.
When contacted, Shukla, didn’t elaborate much but did confirm that many in the IPL GC were of the view that BCCI should appeal against the arbitration.
“The IPL GC discussed the matter and legal opinion has been sought. We discussed in length about all possibilities and most of the members were of the opinion that we should go for the appeal,” Shukla said.
The Kerala-based franchise’s contract had been terminated by the BCCI in 2011 owing to an alleged breach of contract. However, Kochi had reportedly claimed that they would want their team to be fielded in the IPL next season instead of being compensated.
However, the BCCI is now confident that the matter will be put to rest in the coming few days.
CSK valuation
It was the discussion over the controversy regarding the valuation of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) franchise that took centre-stage with the GC deciding to refer the issue to the working committee (WC).
The India Cements Limited had proposed to transfer control of the franchise to a trust for only Rs 5 lakh.
“The CSK valuation matter has been referred to Board’s Working Committee. During the last WC meeting in Kolkata the Committee sought legal opinion. The working committee, after getting legal opinion, will refer it to GC and a further decision will be taken,” Shukla said.
Shukla also said that no decision was taken on the Champions League T20 (CLT20). All decisions on CLT20 can be only taken by CLT20 GC, which also comprises of Cricket Australia (CA) and Cricket South Africa (CSA).
Shukla also said that BCCI has not heard about any details regarding the JSW group buying any IPL team. He said, “Any such takeover or buying of stakes should be referred to the Governing Council for its approval first. Once any such proposal is placed before the GC a call will be taken,” Shukla said.
