Indian infrastructure major GMR Group, co-owner of the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League, is reportedly in advanced talks to relaunch the Jamaica Tallawahs franchise in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
GMR, through its subsidiary GMR Sports, is directly involved in the operations of Dubai Capitals in the ILT20, Seattle Orcas in Major League Cricket, Hampshire in English county cricket, and Southern Brave in The Hundred.
Outside of cricket GMR Sports also owns franchises in Pro Kabaddi (U.P. Yoddhas) and Ultimate Kho Kho (Telugu Yoddhas). Additionally, GMR Sports is the principal organizing and marketing partner and a key stakeholder in the franchise-based sevens Rugby Premier League (RPL).
The Jamaica Tallawahs, a three-time CPL champion, were previously owned by Florida-based businessman Kris Persaud, who sold the team back to the CPL due to sustainability issues and bought the rights to a new team, which became the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons.
Tallawahs have not featured in the league for the last two editions. According to ESPNcricinfo, GMR officials attended the final of the CPL on Sunday, and they are considered strong favourites to run the franchise from next year.
They would become the seventh team involved in the league, increasing the number of fixtures played.
Pete Russell, the CPL’s chief executive, said earlier this month that the league is “very excited at the prospect of a return to Jamaica” after “fruitful and engaging discussions” with the government. “We are hopeful that these negotiations will reach a positive conclusion in the coming months,” Russell had said.
