While the BCCI doesn’t allow Indian cricket stars to participate in the Caribbean Premier League currently, there is still plenty of connection that India shares with the league currently. The players not being allowed to play in the CPL is due to the fact that the BCCI wants to protect the IPL, and has in each player’s contract a certain IPL Clause. Every IPL contract signed by the player, the franchise and the league, comes with clause 8.2 - The player covenants with the Franchisee and IPL that he shall not during the term:
- (a) participate in India in any competition or league which is the same as or similar to the League without an express no objection certificate from IPL; or
- (b) participate anywhere in the world in any competition which is the same as or similar to the CLT20; or
- (c) participate in any Twenty20 cricket competition anywhere in the world which is (i) not officially recognised by the official national governing body for cricket in the country where such competition takes place, or (ii) not approved by the ICC in the absence of any such national governing body; or (iii) "Disapproved Cricket" as set out under any applicable ICC regulations; or
- (d) participate in any other cricket competition anywhere in the world which is or could reasonably be considered to be similar to or competitive with the League save for any competition which acts as a qualifying competition for CLT20.
- While in the future we may see the BCCI loosen these rules, for now, we need to be content with the plethora of cricket talent on display in the Caribbean.
- We take a look at 5 Indian connections in the CPL 2016:
Shah Rukh Khan owned Trinbago Knight Riders
In 2015, Red Chillies Entertainment, led by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla purchased a stake in the Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel. Red Chillies Entertainment also owns the IPL’s Kolkata Knight Riders. This, marked the first time an IPL team has invested in a Twenty20 cricket league outside India. Further, In 2016, Red Chillies Entertainment took over the team's operations and changed the name to the Trinbago Knight Riders.
As the reigning champions of the Twenty20 competition, the re-name reflects the vision of the franchise’s dynamic ownership for Trinidad & Tobago. Shah Rukh Khan, co-owner of Trinbago Knight Riders, said: "It is a great honour to become part of the rich cricketing tradition of Trinidad & Tobago. We will do everything to uphold the tradition and thank all the people of Trinbago in advance for their passion and support.”
Venky Mysore, CEO of KKR added: "The acquisition of the Trinbago franchise is consistent with our vision to expand the "Knight Riders" brand globally. We are proud of the powerful KKR brand we have built in India as part of the IPL as well as the ever-growing fan base. We now look forward to expanding our brand in Trinbago as well as the entire Caribbean as part of the CPL.”
The Trinbago Knight Riders, led by Dwayne Bravo will be hopeful of another successful season. The resemblence with the Kolkata Knight Riders is frighteningly similar now, and they will hope to be as successful as the KKR.
Hero MotoCorp Ltd – Title sponsors of the CPL
Hero MotoCorp Ltd (HMCL), the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer extended its title sponsorship of the popular Caribbean Premier League (CPL) for another three years in 2016. With this extension, the event will continue to be called the ‘Hero Caribbean Premier League’ until the 2018 season. Hero MotoCorp became the title sponsors of the event in the 2015 season. The 2015 edition of the CPL attracted a global audience in excess of 90 million and this year is set to be even higher as fans across the world continue to be drawn to the high quality action on the pitch and the unique party atmosphere off it.
Pawan Munjal, Chairman, Managing Director & CEO, Hero MotoCorp Ltd, said: "Cricket continues to be one of the most popular sports in various parts of the world, and the Hero CPL has become an eagerly-awaited annual event for cricket fans not just in the Caribbean but across the globe. The extension of our title sponsorship of the Hero CPL is also in keeping with the increasing global presence of brand Hero, which is now present in 30 countries across Asia, Africa and South and Central America. The Hero CPL is now set to become one of the important events in Hero’s annual global sporting calendar."
Robin Singh – coach of Barbados Tridents
Former Indian cricket team all rounder Robin Singh will coach the Barbados Tridents for the 3rd year in succession. He will be hoping to lead his side to the title after ending as runners up in 2015 edition. He has had a prodigious coaching career post his retirement. His first coaching position was with the U-19 Indian cricket team. In 2004, he began coaching the Hong Kong national team helping them qualify for the 2004 Asia Cup. He was appointed the coach of India A cricket team in 2006, where he coached cricketers like Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa. After this, he was named the fielding coach of the Indian national team in 2007 and in 2008 he was also appointed the first head coach of Deccan Chargers franchise in the Indian Premier League.
Singh remained the fielding coach for the Indian team until October 2009 and also served as coach of the Mumbai Indians of the IPL, whom he led to the runners up position during the 2010 IPL season and winners of 2013 IPL season as well as the Winners of 2011 Champions League Twenty20. Robin Singh also coached USA Under - 19 squad and in 2011, Singh also coached the United States women's cricket team at the World Cup Qualifier Tournament in Bangladesh.
Nita Ambani and Reliance Industries – Owners of Barbados Tridents?
Nita Ambani is certainly making a name for herself in the sports scene in India. She remains involved with the Mumbai Indians, leading the team well and bringing up plenty of initiatives that help bring kids to watch the game at the stadium. Further, she helped kick off the birth of a footballing revolution being the Chairperson of IMG-Reliance & founding Chairperson of Football Sports Development that controls the Indian Super League.
Her crowning moment came on the 3rd of June, 2016 where she became the first Indian woman to be nominated to the International Olympic Committee. “It is truly a honour and privilege to be nominated by IOC. I believe in the power of sport to shape our youth, to bring together communities and bridge gaps between cultures and generations. I am grateful to (the) IOC for this opportunity; it’s a recognition of India and Indian women. I am looking forward to the opportunity to contribute in meeting the goals of IOC.” she was quoted as saying.
If reports are to be believed, Reliance Industries are said to have stepped in after confusion arising over Vijay Mallya’s ownership of the Barbados Tridents and they are said to have purchased his share. There is no official confirmation on this matter at this point however, but there seems to be some involvement.
Vijay Mallya – Also owner of Barbados Tridents?
Everything surrounding Vijay Mallya right now seems to be in a cloud of doubt, and it is no surprise that the ownership of the Barbados Tridents has come into question too.
Mallya was said to have bought the CPL team in February days before stepping down as chairman of United Spirits and subsequently also lost control over IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore.
However, with the troubles surrounding Mallya and his business empire, it's a possibility that he may have sold his stake in the Barbados Tridents with reports having emerged that Reliance bought his share. Vijay Mallya was however, spotted at the auction table and there is a high chance that he remains the owner of the team. What’s interesting is the team acquired RCB stars AB de Villiers and David Wiese in the auction showing the RCB connection.
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