IPL brand value will be affected, feels Gilchrist

Lily

B.R
Staff member
Mumbai October 13:

Former Australia wicketkeeper and captain of Deccan Chargers, Adam Gilchrist today said the expulsion of two of the IPL teams -- Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab -- would have an effect on the brand value of the cash rich Twenty20 league.

''It does have an impact on the IPL. The brand and overall competition in general. No doubt it came as a surprise. I hope there is still scope for discussion between the franchisees and the BCCI. Hopefully they will stay in the competition,'' Gilchrist told reporters here. Gilchrist, who led Deccan Chargers in the first three editions of the IPL, was in the city as a brand ambassador for the University of Wollongong (UOW) and its Innovation Campus (iC).

''There is a need to maintain value and integrity which has so far been so successful for the venture. There have been some negatives. If people sit down, there's an opportunity for everyone -- businessmen, players and spectators -- as long as none of them get greedy,'' he said. ''Hopefully, there is still a way for a compromise,'' he said. Gilchrist felt that the Cricket Board's move would also create insecurity among the other franchisees.

''There will be a ripple effect. I read with interest, comments of few others franchise owners on this issue. It does create a feeling of insecurity. It just needs to be well managed, well administered. There is an interest on what exactly happened,'' he added. The BCCI had on Sunday terminated the franchise agreements of KXIP and Rajasthan Royals, while asking the newly-inducted Kochi to resolve its internal disputes in 10 days.

 
Top