The BCCI is optimistic about the prospects for the 2021 IPL after the 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League was held in a big way in the UAE without a hitch amid the coronavirus pandemic. There are reports that BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has hinted to franchises to prepare for a mega-auction that could take place in early 2021. A couple of days ago, there was a report in The Hindu that it could be include a ninth team in the IPL. 2021, as the BCCI seeks to recoup the losses it incurred while hosting IPL 2020 in the United Arab Emirates. The ninth team could be based in Gujarat.
However, it is now speculated that the ninth team could have some big names vying for it. Gautam Adani, one of the country’s leading business moguls, might be the top contender to buy this gear, but now it has emerged that southern superstar Mohanlal and Bollywood hero Salman Khan might also be interested in competing for the ninth team.
Mohanlal was seen at Dubai International Cricket Stadium as one of the VIP guests during the 2020 IPL final between the Mumbai Indians and the Delhi capitals. His presence in the stadium caused social media to crash. On the other hand, Salman Khan already owns the Celebrity Cricket League in addition to other companies in Bollywood.
High Bollywood presence in IPL
Bollywood already has a large presence at IPL. Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla are one of the co-owners of the Kolkata Knight Riders franchise, while Preity Zinta is one of the owners of the Kings XI Punjab franchise. Superstar from the south, Venkatesh, is one of the most prominent figures who continues to cheer on Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Mohanlal’s report interested in buying the ninth team could indicate that BCCI might again be interested in floating a Kerala team. In 2011, there was a team from Kerala called the Kochi Tuskers Kerala team that didn’t make much of an impression. When it comes to Gujarat, the Gujarat Lions team, which was owned by Intex Technologies, was a part of IPL 2016 and 2017 during the two years Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals were banned.
Speculation that Gujarat is the ninth team has risen in recent days, with Motera already having a capacity of more than 100,000 and with Sourav Ganguly insisting that IPL 2021 will take place in India during the period from April to May.
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