The deadlock between Sahara India Parivar and BCCI continues as the Indian cricket body after its working committee meeting has made it clear that it won’t bend rules for Sahara-owned IPL team Pune Warriors as this move might irk the other eight team owners.
According to reports in various newspapers, of the five major demands made by Sahara for staying in the IPL family, only one has been officially accepted so far. Some demands have been rejected while some are still being negotiated. Sahara’s decision to field the Warriors in the upcoming IPL will now rest on the outcome of these open-ended talks.
“BCCI has responded positively within its framework of rules and has also said that it is not possible to create an exception because observance of the regulations is important to the integrity of the league,” Srinivasan told mediapersons after the meeting.
THE CONTENTIOUS ISSUES (As reported in TOI)
1 SAHARA’S DEMAND: Allow five foreigners in playing XI to compensate for Yuvraj Singh. BCCI’S RESPONSE: Can’t allow; Pune can buy unsold players as Yuvraj’s replacement.
2 DEMAND: Rebate of 27 per cent on franchisee fee. RESPONSE: Subject to arbitration.
3 DEMAND: Erase bank guarantee against franchisee fee. RESPONSE: Subject to arbitration; but if Pune Warriors pull out, BCCI will encash the bank guarantee of Rs170 cr.
4 DEMAND: Open auction in 2013 and fresh auction for IPL V. RESPONSE: Can’t oblige.
5 DEMAND: Strategic partner for Pune franchisee. RESPONSE: No problem.
Meanwhile, Kolkata Knight Riders co-owner, Shah Rukh Khan, expressed confidence in Indian Premier League's future despite the controversies. “The future of IPL is fantastic. It is an entertaining property, an exclusive club with enough passion in the people involved,” he said.
He felt that instead of questioning IPL's viability and debating whether the T20 event will grow out of the hype surrounding it in the first two years, the KKR co-owner felt the IPL experience should be extended to other Indian sports.
