BCCI official expects a rush from several cities for two new IPL teams

THERE COULD BE A RUSH from several quarters for putting up two new teams, once the fresh tender will be floated for the next edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), said an Indian cricket board official.

Speaking to IANS, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice-president T.C. Mathew said that the tenders would be floated soon after the annual general meeting (AGM) to be held in Mumbai on November 9.

"There is no doubt that there would be a good number of applications as it has been decided to select two new teams to replace Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals who remain suspended for two years," said Mathew.

"There would be eight teams, including the two new ones for the 2016 and 2017 editions and once after that, there would be an overhaul and the total number of teams from 2018 would be ten," said Mathew, who is also the president of the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA).

Incidentally, in 2011 two new teams were inducted with Kochi Tuskers and Pune Warriors, but the former team was dropped following non-payment of bank guarantee after differences of opinion between the owners of the team surfaced before the 2012 edition, while Warriors pulled out after the 2013 edition.

Now all eyes are on if there is going to be a bid from Kerala.

With the state capital now having a brand new International Cricket Council (ICC) certified greenfield stadium and a state where any sporting activity, especially cricket and football brings in record crowds, sources said there could be a bid from Kerala for a team.

The success of the Indian Super League (ISL) with matches at Kochi attracting over 60,000 fans each for the first three matches, is a huge guarantee that a home team for Kerala will be a money spinner.

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