Reports: Two new teams in place of CSK and RR from IPL 9

India’s showpiece domestic tournament is at an interesting crossroad, with the finalists of the very first edition of the tournament likely to be facing a 2-year ‘strategic timeout’.

According to sources, BCCI is considering the option of introducing two new teams in the Indian Premier League from the ninth edition, in place of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, the two teams who have been suspended from the tournament.

The three-member committee headed by former Supreme Court judge RM Lodha banned Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals earlier today. According to the sources two new teams could fetch BCCI around $100 millions.

Former CSK team official Gurunath Meiyappan and Rajasthan Royals co-owner Raj Kundra were suspended for life from any cricketing activity undertaken by the BCCI.

The verdict, read out by Justice Lodha in the presence of the other committee members, said that the cricketers who were part of the two IPL teams were free to join any IPL team they wanted.

The IPL has 10 approved slots, the extra slots can be given to Pune or Kochi, or can be handed to new franchises. India’s showpiece domestic tournament is at an interesting crossroad, with the finalists of the very first edition of the tournament likely to be facing a 2-year ‘strategic timeout’.

Or maybe the #BCCI could put two entirely new teams on the market and then reintroduce #CSK & #RR to a ten team #IPL in 2018. #Lodha

— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) July 14, 2015

Don't see a six team IPL taking place. Don't see BCCI not having the IPL for 2 years. New teams and fresh owners then?

— Arjun Ashok (@arj_90) July 14, 2015

Or BCCI goes for 2 new teams with fresh auctions. Brings back CSK/RR after 2 yrs with auctions similar to Pune/Kochi. 10 team IPL from 2018.

— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) July 14, 2015