IPL: In the meeting of the stakeholders and franchise owners of the Indian Premier League this week in London, the number of teams has been discussed from eight to 10. Although this will not happen for the first time, 10 teams will participate in this league. Earlier in 2011, there were 10 teams in the IPL, which had Kochi and Pune franchisee teams.
Due to the contractual dispute between the Kochi franchisee and the BCCI, the team got removed from the game in just one season in the tournament. Sahara Groups Pune Warriors also pulled themselves out of the league after 2013, after which there were eight teams again in the league since 2014.
“We discussed about the increase in the number of teams but it was an informal discussion,” an official of the team participating in the meeting in London said. “Anyway, the teams do not have the right to decide on this issue, the BCCI has to decide but we are ready to discuss this idea.” Another official also confirmed the discussion on the extension of the IPL in the meeting.
The official said, “This issue was discussed, but it was informal. There is no solid plan on how to move forward on this issue. More teams mean more matches, that means the tournament will run for a longer time.”
Following the suspension of teams of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, Rising Pune Super Giants and Gujarat Lions for the two seasons participated in the tournament for next 2 years but after that they have been removed too.
In the second attempt in 2017, Pune Super Giants reached the final of the tournament. Team owner Goenka had expressed his desired to stay in the league even after two years.
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