CSK and RR players' fate likely to be decided on Sunday

Shashank Manohar, the new president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), may set the record straight in his first Working Committee today since taking over the hot seat a few weeks ago

Shashank Manohar, the new president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), may set the record straight in his first Working Committee today since taking over the hot seat a few weeks ago.


Shashank Manohar

The most important issue the committee will deliberate on is to decide any further quantum of punishment for Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals after the Supreme Court-appointed Justice Lodha Committee recommended banning the two franchisees for two years. The suggestions of the working group formed by the Indian Premier League Governing Council will be also discussed in the meeting.

Until a few months ago, BCCI members were looking at various alternatives to keep the two teams in place except keeping their owners at bay. However, it is learnt that Manohar, whose top agenda is to resurrect the image of the T20 league and BCCI, is likely to push for new team tenders - one of the recommendations of IPL working group - and allow CSK and RR to join the league after two years.

This will make the IPL a 10-team affair that the BCCI was always keen on. There could be a fresh auction for CSK and RR players. "The tenders will be long term as that is the only way to fetch a good price. It will also provide some stability to the IPL. The two-year suspension of CSK and RR is likely to stay," said a source.

BCCI received a huge setback recently when PepsiCo decided to end the title sponsorship of the IPL. This issue is also on the agenda. Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) president Sharad Pawar is expected to attend the Working Committee meeting.

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