NEW DELHI (SW):Stung by the suspension of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals from the IPL, the BCCI's top officials are now working out a contingency plan to ensure that the high-profile league remains an eight-team affair, the Indian Express reported on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, a panel appointed by India's Supreme Court suspended two top Indian Premier League teams for two years over a corruption scandal.
Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals have been found guilty in an illegal betting and match-fixing probe.
The panel also suspended Royals co-owner Raj Kundra and Gurunath Meiyappan of Super Kings from all cricket-related activities for life.
According to Indian press, the BCCI is keen to ensure that the cash-rich league remains an eight-team tournament as its contract with the broadcasters — Multi Screen Media — envisages a 60-match schedule.
"We have started discussions on the way forward. We have studied the Justice Lodha committee report, the Governing Council will discuss all aspects of this verdict and decide the future course of action," a top BCCI official told PTI.
The official said that the Board could possibly explore two options to ensure that the IPL remains an eight-team event.
In case the BCCI invites bids for two new teams, all the players of CSK and RR will go back to the auction pool. Star players like Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Ravichandran Ashwin, Dwayne Bravo, Faf du Plessis, Shane Watson, Steve Smith, James Faulkner, Ravindra Jadeja, Brendon McCullum, Mike Hussey and Ashish Nehra will then be up for grabs again.
A fresh auction was supposed to be held before the 2017 IPL but current situation may drive the BCCI to have one before the scheduled time.
Since it is a Supreme Court appointed committee, entrusted with the task of giving the quantum of punishment, experts feel the teams may not get the relief they expect.
ENDS
