BCCI to meet April 27 to decide on Kochi, Pune requests

The Indian cricket board will meet April 27 to take a call on the requests made by Kochi Tuskers Kerala and Pune Warriors to cut down their franchise fees for the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice-president Niranjan Shah told IANS that they have received the requests and will consider them in the working committee meeting slated for April 27.

Sahara bought the Pune franchise for Rs.1,700 crore while Kochi invested Rs.1,500 crore. According to rules, franchises have to pay the amount in 10 equal instalments.

Kochi Tuskers director Mukesh Patel told IANS that they were promised 18 games in the Invitation to Tender (ITT) document but it was cut down to 14 as the fourth edition was reduced to a 74-game tournament.

"It is our fundamental right because we were promised 18 games and the fees were charged accordingly. But since the matches have been cut down, our request for lesser franchisee fee is logical," said Patel.

Patel said the franchise has written to the BCCI to consider their request.

"Both Kochi and Pune have written to the BCCI on the issue. We have made some calculations based on the number of matches we are playing this season and have sent fresh quotations," he added.

The IPL was earlier planned to be a 94-match tournament but due to hectic international calendar it was cut down to 74 matches.