MUMBAI: Two of the eight franchises that will compete in next year’s Indian Premier League have reportedly requested permission to shift their respective home bases, with Rajasthan Royals going even further and seeking a change of name for the parent company.
Rajasthan Royals, which will do duty in next year’s IPL after having seen out a two-year suspension over its erstwhile stakeholder Raj Kundra’s indictment for betting, is looking to change the name of the franchise’s holding company Jaipur IPL Cricket Private Limited, Indian Express reports.
“They have made the request but no reason has been given as to why they want to change the company name,” a BCCI official told the daily, without offering details on on the proposed new name.
In addition to a change of name, the team owners have also applied to shift their home base out from the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.
The Royals are not alone in requesting a change of home venue, and have Kings XI Punjab for company on that front.
KPH Dream Cricket Private Limited, the holding company of Kings XI Punjab, wants to shift out from the IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali, near Chandigarh, citing lack of support from the Punjab Cricket Association and trouble with local authorities among the reasons, Indian Express reports.
They have also complained about the lack of a fan base for the franchise in the city, which has resulted in paltry earnings for the franchise from gate receipts.
Team officials have insisted that there had been more gate money on offer when Kings XI Punjab played some of their “home” matches in Pune and Indore over the last two seasons. They also felt that there was more support and interest for the team in Indore.
The issue came up before the Committee of administrators (CoA) during their last meeting, and they have asked it to be tabled in the next IPL governing council meeting, the daily further reports.
It stands to reason of course that if the two teams are granted permission to change their home base, then a change of name of the holding company would, by extension, also follow. A name that is area neutral would be ideal one would think, seeing as the concept of fan loyalty that is location specific has still not seeped into the country’s richest and most high profile sports league despite ten years in existence.
“They had bid for Mohali when the first-ever auction took place for IPL teams. So technically, if they want to change their base now, they will have to pay the BCCI. They have made this request earlier too but the board did not agree. The franchise has been facing many issues with the local police authorities. They have also cited lack of support from the Punjab Cricket Association. If they are allowed then chances are that their name will also change. It will be as per the new venue. The IPL GC will take a call on it,” a BCCI official told Express.
