Cricket: Team slot open in IPL

NEW DELHI: The Indian Premier League (IPL) yesterday took out newspaper advertisements inviting bids to set up a new team to play in the glitzy Twenty20 tournament. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which owns the event, is looking to replace the cash-strapped Deccan Chargers. The new team had to be based in one of 12 named cities, including Ahmedabed, Dharamshala, Hyderabad and Kochi. “The winning bidder will be granted the right to own and operate a new team which will compete in the IPL each year from and including 2013,” it said. The BCCI added that the franchise would have to meet its eligibility criteria, and would have the right to qualify for the Champions League T20.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 15^th, 2012.