5 cities which can have an IPL team in 2016

Rajasthan and Chennai won't be featuring in the IPL for the next two yearsAfter mulling over options to replace the suspended Chennai and Rajasthan franchises, the BCCI has finally decided to invite bids for two new teams in IPL 2016. While the fact that BCCI is making the tenders available for only two years is a strong deterrent for prospective buyers, the idea of reverse bidding which is said to take place instead of normal auction makes the entire process slightly lucrative.Several bidders have been reported as interested in acquiring the rights of an IPL team: Sajjan Jindal, UK-based tycoon Lakshmi Niwas Mittal, Gautam Adani, the Dhoots of Videocon, South Africa-based Ajay Gupta, the Munjals of Hero Group, Harsh Goenka and Prasad Potluri of Telangana-based PVP Ventures.As gossip regarding the cities that are in contention for an IPL spot continue to dominate every breakfast table discussion, the author cannot help adding to it.

#1 Kanpur

Kanpur has a good cricket fan base

If Times of India reports are to be believed, Kanpur is definitely among the frontrunners in its bid to acquire an IPL team. The hometown of IPL Chairman and senior BCCI official Rajeev Shukla is expected to adopt the Greater Noida Stadium as the home ground despite its own Green Park Stadium having hosted international matches for fairly long time.

Interestingly, Shukla had ruled out Green Park Stadium as a potential IPL venue last year citing infrastructural inadequacies in the city. The fact that Greater Noida has already hosted big sporting events like the Formula One Grand Prix in the past seems to have an additional influence in favor of the venue.

#2 Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad has a very good chance of being granted an IPL franchise

Ahmedabad has been on BCCI’s radar for a long time now as a potential venue for an IPL franchise. The Sardar Patel stadium has played host to international fixtures on a number of occasions and the enthusiasm of the dwellers here has never been in question. With Gujarat gradually finding its feet in the domestic circuit, an IPL team around this time might aid the development of local players to a huge extent.

Although Gandhinagar continues to be the capital of Gujarat, Ahmedabad has long enjoyed the autonomic freedom of a financial capital with several high-ranked industrialists assisting the economic boost in the last few years. The Ahmedabad-based Adani Group, a multinational conglomerate company, is rumoured to be strong bidders for the Ahmedabad franchise.

#3 Ranchi

MS Dhoni's hometown Ranchi is another city that could get one of the new IPL teams

The secret behind Ranchi being considered as a potential IPL venue is probably the fact that the current Indian skipper MS Dhoni hails from the city. While the heads that matter in BCCI are quite keen on this move, the feasibility of the process remains somewhat doubtful. Firstly, Jharkhand doesn’t really nurture international-level cricketers on a regular basis, and secondly, the population is much lower than any other city, viz. Vishakhapatnam.

Yet, Ranchi is hardly short of IPL experience, having served as the home ground for Chennai SuperKings and Kolkata Knight Riders for a few matches in the previous seasons. With the Chennai outfit out of the league for the next couple of years, local boy Dhoni is sure to be inducted as captain for this franchise if it indeed comes to materialise.

#4 Kochi

Kochi Tuskers are looking set to make a return to the IPL

Controversies have always loomed over Kochi ever since it was represented by Kochi Tuskers Kerala in 2011. Apart from a lackluster show in the IPL, the outfit was riddled with an internal dispute among co-owners which ultimately resulted in its termination by the BCCI in September that year.

Now having won the arbitration that orders BCCI to pay a compensation of around Rs 550 crore, the owners of Kochi Tuskers are once again seeking a re-entry into the IPL as opposed to a cash award.

Little has developed on this front although it was revealed almost three months ago that the Kochi owners had expressed their desire of returning under the umbrella. If indeed they succeed in doing so, the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium that hosts matches for the Kerala cricket team and Kerala Blasters FC (ISL) is set to act as the home venue for Kochi Tuskers once again after a gap of five years.

#5 Indore

Indore has hosted IPL matches in the past

There is less talk about Indore having an IPL team of its own, but given the factors in favor of this city, it will be imprudent to bet against it. The foremost reason behind Indore gunning for an IPL spot is the huge number of cricketers that turn out for Madhya Pradesh at domestic level. In fact, considering its location, Indore can also serve as a representation of Chattisgarh in the cash-rich tournament.

The Holkar Cricket Stadium has hosted four ODIs till date, the most popular among them being the one against West Indies in 2011 where Virender Sehwag scored 219 runs off 149 deliveries. It also has to its credit two home matches for Kochi Tuskers Kerala in the 2011 edition of the IPL. Being the hub of fine arts and culture, Indore would be an ideal venue for the glamorous league.