Picture Credit: BCCI
Ever since the ownership of Lucknow and Ahmedabad for IPL 2022 got finalized, it has been an absolutely contrasting ride for the two new franchises. While RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group-owned Lucknow has been progressing ahead quite well with their setup, CVC Capitals owned Ahmedabad's future is still under clouds of uncertainty.
Notably, the alleged involvement of Ahmedabad's owners in international betting businesses put their position in the Indian Premier League under doubt. BCCI has notably been trying to sort out the matter but things have kept on delaying, which has raised concerns among the officials of the Ahmedabad franchise.
Uncertainty over future of Ahmedabad's franchise ownership
As per the discussions during IPL Governing Council & BCCI meeting, a committee was formed to decide the fate of Ahmedabad team ownership. And while the decision was awaited last week, it has now been revealed that the verdict shall be out by early next week.
"We are waiting for the committee’s guidance & judgement on the Ahmedabad team. We are expecting the report by early next week”, said a BCCI official as quoted by InsideSport.
While it is likely that CVC Capitals will continue to be the owners of Ahmedabad, but just in case that the committee decides against it, there could be a re-bidding process for the Gujarat based franchise once again as BCCI has been reportedly advised against awarding the ownership to the second-highest bidder from last time.
What about signings for Lucknow and Ahmedabad?
The deadline for the two new franchises to sign 3 players each was December 25, which now seems to have been postponed till December 31. According to sources close to SportsTiger, Lucknow have already got KL Rahul on board as captain and Andy Flower as coach, with Rashid Khan and Ishan Kishan as their other two signings.
However, BCCI has revealed that Lucknow will not be announcing any signing until the issue with Ahmedabad is completely sorted. "Lucknow IPL team will not do any signing or announcement till the matter of Ahmedabad franchise is not sorted. We will give equal time to both sides to complete 3 signings before auctions and for other requisites,” said a BCCI official as quoted by InsideSport.
Notably, Ahmedabad has been linked with the trio of Shreyas Iyer, David Warner and Hardik Pandya and they could be the franchise's three signings in the draft.