MUMBAI: Some of the best guns of India Inc are said to be eager to have a team in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as the apex court banned MUNDI (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) of the game, a move that many believe provides space for the induction of two more teams in the next round of IPL.
The list of names doing the rounds include Gautam Adani, Chairman of Adani group, Harsh Goenka, president of the group, RPG, Sajjan Jindal, President JSW, Venugopal Dhoot, chairman of Videocon group, along with others like Prasad Potluri of companies based PVP South and group Munjals hero.
Confirming the movement RPG Group chairman Harsh Goenka told TOI, that honor was restored to game Knight corruption lapped get clean delivery of the Supreme Court. “The league remains an interesting investment opportunity. If BCCI auction franchise, considered only if valuations are considerable.”
The valuations of the IPL teams have diminished considerably following a series of corruption and cricket observers believe that the new equipment are likely to be caught for less than $ 100 million.
Videocon Group Chairman Venugopal Dhoot, now one of the main sponsors of Mumbai Indians Mukesh Ambani property is also very interested in getting a team. “We will definitely look to bid for an IPL franchise as and when the BCCI calls for the offer. We spend millions of rupees on branding exercise and owning an IPL team would be a great idea,” Dhoot said.
BCCI can look at the revival of Pune and Kochi teams. However, the launch of a new team of Ahmedabad can not be ruled out, said sources in the know. In that case Gautam Adani may be a key contender for the team of Ahmedabad as the billionaire businessman had once dreamed of owning an IPL team to his home state. “The idea of having a team of Ahmedabad would be great as it would be a draw interest from corporations for being the home state of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” an industry leader on condition of anonymity.
Sajjan Jindal led JSW Group, he says he is in talks to buy Royal Challengers Bangalore, is another leading candidate for owning an IPL team. “Cricket is the number one sport in our country so it is not an idea of acquiring a team … IPL team. But I can not comment on what equipment would be” Sajjan Jindal, chairman of JSW group had said earlier This month not confirm or deny whether he was looking to buy Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), owned by liquor baron Vijay Mallya.
JSW Sports, a company owned JSW Group, is the owner of Bangalore FC, one of the league teams led by team captain Sunil Chhetri Indian football.
Serial entrepreneur Potluri Vara Prasad – Owner of PVP Ventures, can also throw in his hat in the ring after his failed attempt to Deccan Charger buyout in 2012, industry sources said.
