Cricket News: Indian Premier League franchise to buy South African T20 teams

After the Mzansi Super League got scrapped, Cricket South Africa (CSA) is all set to launch a new T20 league. The owners of the world's biggest T20 league (IPL) franchises have purchased their teams in South Africa in a process conducted by the audit and consultancy firm Deloitte. Former South African skipper Graeme Smith has been appointed as commissioner for the first ever domestic league of the nation. 

According to the reports, all the six available teams for purchase in CSA's project have gone to IPL big players, namely Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Lucknow Super Giants, Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals. Around 29 bidders arrived at CSA's doorstep for buying teams which are set to be inaugurated next year, and out of those 29, IPL biggies have dominated the process. With this move, IPL corporate giants are expected to spread their wings and strengthen their hold in the T20 global market. 

According to a report by Cricbuzz, "Mukesh Ambani of Mumbai Indians, N Srinivasan of Chennai Super Kings, Parth Jindal of Delhi Capitals, the Marans of SunRisers Hyderabad, Sanjiv Goenka of Lucknow Super Giants and Manoj Badale of Rajasthan Royals have walked away with the available six franchises of the league."

After making successful bids, the team investors have been asked for their choices of cities. The report includes that five-time champions Mumbai Indians and four-time winners Chennai Super Kings bid sum exceeded 250 crores and are expected to hold bases in Cape Town and Johannesburg, respectively. Delhi Capitals is hoping to finalise a Centurion-based team in Pretoria, whereas Goenka Group is eyeing Durban. Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals could enjoy Port Elizabeth and a base in Paarl. 

While the CSA has kept the lip tight, saying that the franchise selection process is yet to be finalised, Cricbuzz has said that information has been acquired from the sources of the IPL franchises. The final announcement is expected to be made by the end of the month by South African officials. 

As the new league will see its inauguration in January next year, it will likely affect the big tournament Big Bash League which also takes place that month. For this league, Cricket South Africa even cancelled its bilateral commitment in Australia to make space for the tournament. Now with IPL big giants involved, it will be interesting to see which star will prefer which league in the upcoming winter.