Two new teams-Pune and Kochi will join Indian Premier League from the 2011 season. Business conglomerate Sahara bagged Pune while little known Rendezvous Sports World Limited clinched Kochi as the IPL today. IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi told reporters in Chennai that Sahara Adventure Sports Group made an identical 370 million dollar bid for three cities Ahmedabad, Nagpur and Pune. But they were asked to choose one of those cities. So Pune will be the home ground of their team.He said, Rendezvous Sports World Limited made the second highest bid but their offer of 333.33 million dollar was enough to land the Kochi franchise.Interestingly, these two new franchises were sold for an amount which, when combined, is bigger than the worth of the original eight franchises put together.From 2011 IPL will become a 10 team league featuring 94 games. Mr. Modi made it clear that there are no plans to have a second IPL abroad. He also ruled out IPL's further expansion in immediate future.
News On AIR | March 21, 2010 6:01 PM
Pune & Kochi to join IPL 2011