Deccan Chargers eyeing return to IPL

Deccan Chargers won the second edition of the IPL in 2009

Deccan Chargers, who were removed from the IPL roster in 2012, are hopeful of a return to the T20 league, the Times of India reports. The renewed optimism comes on the back of Kochi Tuskers winning their arbitration against the BCCI and planning to re-enter the cash-rich league.

The Hyderabad-based franchise featured in the first five editions of the IPL before their contract was terminated by the BCCI in 2012. The governing body had cited “a sudden change of stance by the franchise” as the reason for the decision. The court upheld the move after the franchise owners, Deccan Chronicle Holdings, failed to provide the required bank guarantee.

The owners then approached the Bombay High Court who appointed an arbitrator in CK Thakkar, and the final hearing in the case is scheduled to come up later this month. The team management are hopeful of getting a judgement in their favour.

"The final arbitration is likely to be held later this month. DC owners are confident of winning the arbitration and eventually returning to the IPL," TOI quotes a source as saying.

They further quote another source who is in the know-how of developments that if the initial verdict is indeed overturned, the franchise owners will be floating their team from another city as their original base has already been taken up by Sunrisers Hyderabad.

"If the arbitrator rules in favour of the Chargers, the franchise could be tempted to float a team from a different city than Hyderabad," he said.

The team is also set for a huge financial boost if they get a decision in their favour.

"If they win the case, they could get a huge sum from BCCI. If the board is supposed to give Kochi, just a one-year-old team, around Rs 600 crore, imagine the amount that Chargers will get," the TOI source added.

The future of the IPL is still in the balance after the Lodha panel banned Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals from the IPL for the next two seasons. Question marks remain on the future of the two franchises but in the meantime, the previously suspended teams are hoping that they can stage a comeback of their own.