What's in store for IPL?

Controversies and the IPL have thrived together. If the League, in its eight years, has transformed the world cricket scene, it has also met with countless brickbats and accusations. But what stares at the face of BCCI at the moment could be a storm big enough to blow the sensational run of the IPL.

As much the recommendation – suspension of CSK and RR for two years - evoked shock, it triggered an unending debate on the implication of such a strong judgement and the very survival of the league which has earned its share of critics over the years.

To begin with, the suspension has reduced the eight-team structure to six, which raises the moot point whether BCCI could organise the tournament with less number of teams? At this point, it does not seem to be the possibility. The contractual obligation with the broadcaster, who would not want a curtailed air-time and less number of matches, makes it a must to have eight teams to have a league.

One of the options BCCI appears to be seriously exploring is to take over the two suspended teams for two years.  The sentiment was echoed by IPL Chairman Rajeev Shukla after his meeting with BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya Thursday last. Shukla also made it clear that in no way they were mulling to hold a six-team league.

“The idea is to have the tournament in full format with a minimum of eight teams. We can't hold the event with six teams. There are many options available. One option is that the BCCI runs the two teams and responsible people will be deputed for the job," Shukla said.

However, if the BCCI chooses to go ahead with this it can find itself in choppy waters with the issue of conflict of interest coming into the picture. Shukla, however, dismissed such a notion. Ajay Shirke, an IPL Governing Council member, however, insists that the BCCI first must take the judgement in all humility and not appeal against the decision of an SC-appointed committee. “You have made yourself a laughing stock in front of world. Accept that there can’t be anything worse than thinking of appealing against the Lodha Committee judgement,” Shirke told Deccan Herald.

He admits that when the IPL Governing Council meets on Sunday, there will be no easy solution on the offing. “I feel the idea about BCCI running the two teams is not feasible. It is not BCCI’s job to run teams. Why would you like to get into more complexities,” questions Shirke. While there have been reports of business houses willing it to take over the teams, the sinking image of brand IPL has also desisted many big houses from taking such a step. The IPL has already seen three teams (Kochi Tuskers, Pune Warriors and Deccan Chargers) disappearing, the current order will take the number to five.

Terminating contract

There are several disconcerted voices in the BCCI at the moment. There is a possibility of the issue of terminating the contract may be broached, too. But will the BCCI take an extreme step of terminating CSK and RR, the teams which bring such brand value to the League, particularly the former? It appears unlikely. At the same time, accommodating 10 teams, if the new teams take over, could be a big ask for the organisers.

With December 31 being the last date for teams to decide on retaining the players, new auctions as per the three-year agreement, slated in 2017, would tweak the interest of the franchisees to bag top names like M S Dhoni, Ajinkya Rahane and Steven Smith.There is no doubt the current controversy has sullied brand IPL. But its effect at the most could be fleeting. “The 2013 controversy didn’t stop crowds coming to the stadium, the stadiums have gone packed,” shrugged a BCCI official.

Meanwhile, the CSK and RR, too, would be busy with their legal experts for a way out. While, it is still a little early to speculate the future course, the ball certainly is in the BCCI court.