MUMBAI: Bollywod actors Shilpa Shetty and Preity Zinta have expressed shock at the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) decision to axe their IPL teams Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab respectively.
Shetty, who is currently in London, said, “Honestly too shocked to react; just disheartened cause its more than just a team for us! Still haven’t received the termination, will react after. Need to know the basis of this decision.”
Zinta added, “Still absorbing the news! After working so hard in the IPL & putting my everything building this team, this is not what I expected! Shocked!”
Rajasthan Royals captain Shane Warne, who is scheduled to fly to Australia, said that he did not have details of the developments but expressed his shock at the turn of events.
In a prepared statement, BCCI secretary said, “It was unanimously decided that the Franchise agreements with K P H Dream Cricket Pvt Ltd (Kings XI Punjab) and Jaipur IPL Cricket Pvt Ltd (Rajasthan Royals) be terminated forthwith based on the Legal opinions obtained by BCCI in the matters.”
Former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi also reacted on Twitter. He said, “The Teams is what makes the IPL. With what BCCI has done today – is something that will only harm the image of the IPL and BCCI. They are hell bent on destroying something that we as Indians are proud of – The IPL, so as to satisfy their personal Agendas. The status of all teams is the same. They were all approved. There is no ambiguity as far as that is concerned. The action it totally illegal. Instead of concentrating on building IPL and BCCI – they have chosen a path of vengeance and in that they will only hurt the Game. BCCI’s total disregard for Franchisees and their stakeholders only goes to show that – BCCI has lost the ability to administer sensibly. The Game is bigger than the organization. The Owners should get together and Run the League on their own. IPL should not be destroyed.”
BCCI also said that it would issue a notice to the Kochi franchise to resolve the ownership issue.
“It was further unanimously decided to issue a notice to the Unincorporated Joint Venture holding the Kochi Franchise calling upon them to resolve all their disputes and form a Joint Venture Company which will hold the IPL Franchise rights,” BCCI added.
