7 possible future scenarios for the IPL

It was a verdict that shook the entire nation. Incredible and unprecedented in many ways, the Justice Lodha committee appointed by the Supreme Court has suspended the two franchisees Chennai Super Kings and Rajashan Royals for a period of two years besides imposing a life ban on the tainted officials Gurunath Meiyappan and Raj Kundra.The verdict has set the social media ablaze and elicited a whole gamut of mixed reactions from different quarters. While some have praised the verdict as a landmark judgement, others have displayed passionate discontent at the prospect of not seeing their favourite players turn out for the franchises they support.The BCCI president Dalmiya has made it clear that they will abide by the verdict as they are committed to ensuring 'transparency, accountability and cleansing the sport'. However, if reports are to be believed, the top officials are already breaking out in cold sweat behind closed doors over the future of the IPL.The cash-rich league has truly been thrown into a radical uncertainty now and what the future holds for the IPL is tough to guess at the moment. Let us look at the 8 possible scenarios that might happen now.

#1 Legal redressal

Can there be a relaxation in the ban?

Given the magnitude of the verdict and the huge things at stake, it is hardly surprising that the franchisees are contemplating challenging the verdict. While they do not expect to go scot-free, there is optimism in certain quarters that the ban may be relaxed.

If top sources in the India Cements Limited, owner of the CSK, are to be believed, the company has already held discussions and decided to go to the apex court challenging the verdict. The two franchises have already said that it is unfair to punish them for 'personal' wrongdoing.

The Lodha committee has however highlighted the fact that the IPL operational rules obliged every franchise to 'ensure that each of its team officials complies with' the regulations strictly. A legal relaxation of the ban looks difficult right now, but it is not impossible.

#2 An IPL with 6 teams

A 6-team tournament?

The other obvious possibility is to let the remaining six teams compete in the next two editions of the IPL. CSK and RR can then return to the competition in 2018.

Some officials from the franchisees speaking on condition of anonymity have asserted that they are relieved with the verdict because that they had believed there would be a 'termination of the franchise's agreement, with regards to the IPL'. With the present verdict, teams like CSK and RR have the option to return after serving out the ban. That would also prevent fans from watching their beloved players playing for other franchises.

But having an IPL with just 6 teams without the likes of MS Dhoni and Ajinkya Rahane is unthinkable to say the least. Viewership might suffer badly - sponsors and broadcasters who will be the worst sufferers in such a scenario are unlikely to be happy with a 6-team tournament even if it is for two seasons only.

#3 CSK and RR players to be re-auctioned

Imagine watching Dhoni play for some other franchise

If no new franchisees come up as of now, there is a possibility that the CSK and RR players are re-auctioned and allowed to join the other existing franchisees. CSK and RR have some of the most coveted players and the other teams will be licking their lips at such a prospect. Justice Lodha has mentioned in his verdict that the 'players are free to join any other team'.

But these two teams have a total pool of 45 players and even if a re-auction does take place, it is extremely unlikely that all of them can be accommodated in the squads of the other teams. The BCCI has said that it is anxious to look after the interest of all the players affected by the verdict and is unlikely to let a lot of players remain unsold.

#4 De-merger of RR and CSK from parent companies

New owners?

There are already talks of a possible demerger of RR and CSK from their parent companies. The current owners might sell their franchises in which case new companies will be allowed to bid for the teams.

But new companies might be reluctant to bid because of the legal liabilities involved and the disrepute incurred by the franchises. An IPL Governing Council member said:

"Current owners of CSK and Royals may be in a mood to sell their franchises to new owners, but there are a few problems. The moment CSK or RR is sold off in its current state to a new owner, the existing legal liabilities will then be burden of the new owner. Plus both franchises have lost goodwill. In this existing scenario can they be sold off or new buyers will be interested?"

#5 2 new teams and a mini-auction

New teams?

There is a strong possibility of there being a fresh bidding for two completely new IPL franchises. A mini-auction of the 45 players from CSK and RR might be held exclusively for these two new franchises.

An IPL Governing Council member, however said, “The new owners might oppose the idea of getting to select players from a restricted pool." Further, new franchises which have just come up might be unwilling to tarnish their reputation by buying players from that restricted pool.

#6 Have a fresh auction

A complete fresh auction

If owners from new franchises are unwilling to participate in a mini-auction with a restricted pool of players, the best option would be to have a fresh auction where all the franchises participate. A fresh auction was supposed to be held before the 2017 IPL and the current situation might prompt the BCCI to have it now.

A fresh auction will completely change the complexion of the IPL as teams will have a totally different composition. There have been complaints that the balance of power is unequally distributed and some franchises have a squad which is far superior to the others.

Because franchises can retain most of their players, some teams like CSK and KKR which have a superior core group of players can hold on to them perpetuating the difference between the powerful and the weak squads. Teams like DD, on the other hand, have struggled to build a good team.

There is a certain hierarchy of powerful teams that has been established in the IPL now and it will be better for the competition if such differences are evened out. Only a fresh auction can make this possible. Imagine MS Dhoni playing for the Mumbai Indians or Virat Kohli for KKR! A fresh auction will liven up things and give the tournament an entirely new look.

#7 Kochi Tuskers to make a comeback?

Will we see these stripes again?

If reports are to be believed, the possibility of the Kochi Tuskers making a dramatic comeback to the IPL cannot be written off. The BCCI had terminated the contract of the Kochi Tuskers in 2011 due to the non-payment of their bank guarantee.

However, the Justice Panel led by RC Lahoti has recently ruled an arbitration in their favour asking the BCCI to pay an enormous amount of Rs 550 crore to the franchise. But instead of receiving the money, the franchise owners are reported to be more interested in making a comeback to the league.

With reports of two new franchises to come up, it will not be surprising if the Kochi Tuskers make their way back to the IPL next year. In that case, it would be also interesting to see if they are allowed to participate in the mini-auction should that take place