Indian Cricket Board make their stance clear about franchises involvement in foreign leagues

While the Indian T20 League franchises have been hoping for Indian cricketers to be allowed to participate in mushrooming T20 leagues across the globe, the Indian Cricket Board has cautioned franchise owners about investing in overseas properties. The board representatives appeared to discourage the franchises from competing in international T20 leagues and SA20 League at the owners’ meeting in Kochi on Friday (December 23) morning, which was held in conjunction with the cash-rich league auction.

Three Indian T20 League franchises Mumbai, Kolkata, and Delhi own teams in the International League T20 (ILT20) in the United Arab Emirates while six teams, Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Delhi, and Rajasthan are involved in the upcoming league in South Africa (SA20). Besides, Kolkata and Punjab own teams in Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

“That was the point. They tried to discourage them from participating in foreign leagues. They understood those who are already there. But they tried to dissuade us from taking such steps in the future,” said an official of a team as per Cricbuzz.

'Other boards have all the right to...' - Arun Dhumal

While the franchises were surprised by the suggestion, officials clarified that other boards and the franchise owners were free to look after their interests. Indian T20 League chairman Arun Singh Dhumal stressed the Indian Cricket Board is not concerned with either the expansion of T20 leagues or the investment of franchise owners overseas.

“Not really. Other boards have all the right to start their leagues. But we have seen that the IPL is way ahead. A few of them (franchise owners) have interests in other leagues. They have to look after their business interests. We can’t stop them. They have money in their kitty, so it is their choice," Dhumal was quoted as saying.

The mini-auction in Kochi shattered records with 3 players breaking the all-time bidding record. England allrounder Sam Curran became the highest-ever buy when Punjab broke the bank and brought him for Rs 18.50 crore. Australian Cameron Green followed suit to Mumbai after he was sold for Rs 17.5 crore and Chennai pulled off the Ben Stokes deal for Rs 16.25 crore. Nicholas Pooran also commanded big bucks as Lucknow bought him for Rs 16 crore after a bidding war with Delhi.