All You Need To Know About GMR Group’s Deal With Hampshire
Hampshire announces the deal with GMR Group, becoming the first English county cricket club owned by an overseas investor. Here’s what the deal means in practice. Have Delhi Capitals bought Hampshire? Not exactly. Delhi Capitals is a 50-50 joint venture between the two sports arms of Indian conglomerates JSW Group and GMR Group. GMR had bought the Delhi franchise – then called Delhi Daredevils – before the first season of the IPL in 2008 and sold 50% to JSW in 2018. GMR are the only relevant party in the Hampshire deal. Who are GMR and why have they invested in cricket? The GMR group describe themselves as a leading infrastructure developer who own and manage projects in a number of different areas. They own and run six airports, including Delhi and Hyderabad. GMR says its sports division has the social objective of promoting and nurturing potential talent at the grassroot level in Delhi while the IPL has proved a lucrative investment: having paid US$84 million for the Delhi franchise in 2008, they sold a 50% stake in 2018 for US$66m. Do GMR own any other teams? Yes. GMR are the owners of Dubai Capitals in the UAE’s ILT20, India Capitals in the Legends League Cricket (LLC) and have a stake in Seattle Orcas (MLC). JSW, their IPL co-owners, run Pretoria Capitals in South Africa’s SA20 and the two companies also co-own Delhi Capitals Women in India’s WPL. GMR also owns teams in kabaddi and kho-kho. Has GMR taken over at Hampshire? Hampshire Cricket announced on Monday morning that GMR have bought a majority stake – reported to be 53%-in Hampshire Sport & Leisure Holdings Ltd, with a full buyout to be completed in two years. Rod Bransgrove, chair, and David Mann, chief executive, will stay in place until that two-year period has elapsed. What does this mean for the Hundred? In effect, the ECB began the process of disposing stakes in the eight Hundred teams at the beginning of the month. Under this model, the ECB would sell 49% stakes in every team to private investors and transfer 51% to the host venue or county, which in Southern Brave’s case would be Hampshire. Will GMR become the majority owners of Southern Brave by default? No, it isn’t. The ECB’s sales process contains a clause which allows the ECB the discretion whether or not to sell 51% stakes to hosts. They can decide to hold onto it if they feel that an investor is trying to bypass the wider sale process or buying a franchise up the backstairs. The deal is not dependent on getting a Hundred franchise. But in reality…? The ECB have consulted with every franchise in the IPL and WPL to invest into Hundred teams, and GMR seem very likely to make a bid for the remaining 49% in the sales process of Southern Brave. If GMR’s bid is accepted by the ECB as being at fair market value, Hampshire would then be sold the other 51% and GMR would, therefore, be considered 100% owners of the Hundred franchise. What’s in it for Hampshire? Most obviously, money. Hampshire said in a statement that the deal was designed to strengthen the financial position of their parent company, which also runs the on-site hotel and golf course at the Utilita Bowl. GMR will provide a material injection of capital to reduce the leveraging of the company – in other words, starting to pay off Hampshire’s £60 million debt. Bransgrove said GMR was selected following a rigorous selection process due to its aligned values and commitment to our vision. The Utilita Bowl has awarded the first men’s Ashes Test in 2027, with Bransgrove saying it needed investment to allow Hampshire to remain at the top table. Didn’t Hampshire do something like this previously? Yes. Hampshire were formerly part of a remarkably short-lived tie-in with Rajasthan Royals back in 2010, playing as Hampshire Royals for four years as one of five ‘Royals2020’ teams globally. The arrangement was quietly mothballed after a row between Rajasthan’s owners and the IPL saw the franchise briefly expelled from the competition. What’s Kevin Pietersen got to do with it? Kevin Pietersen played a behind-the-scenes role to try to grease the wheels of the deal as a common link between Bransgrove and GMR’s Kiran Kumar Grandhi. Pietersen played for both Hampshire and Delhi Daredevils (as they were then known) during his playing career. Will Hampshire’s deal be the first of many in county cricket? Maybe, but not straight away. Hampshire are one of only three counties, the others being Durham and Northamptonshire, that are private limited companies rather than member-run mutual ‘societies’, though Yorkshire’s chairman Colin Graves is trying to demutualise the club to unlock the door for private investment. Most of the counties rely on ECB central funding for revenue and therefore might consider private investment as an alternative source. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
IPL 2025: Key Takeaways From IPL Franchises And BCCI Meeting
It was a crunch sitting at Wankhede Stadium where owners of IPL franchises sat on Wednesday, 31st July, 2024 to discuss the future of player retention and the highly debated mega auction system. It soon changed into a heated debate regarding the relevance and sustainability of the mega auction, and a huge divide among franchises became evident. Key Figures Raise Their Concerns It was inside a meeting on the fourth floor of the BCCI headquarters that some of the biggest names in the IPL ownership circle lambasted the mega auction. Shah Rukh Khan, owner of Kolkata Knight Riders, and Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Kavya Maran were the most vocal against the mega auction, asking for it to be scrapped. Both teams were finalists in the IPL 2024 and hence, the owners argued that the present structure disrupts the continuity of a team, which is a precondition for brand building and the retention of fans’ interest. Tensions Flare Between KKR and PBKS Owners When it came to the process of retention, Shah Rukh Khan, as usual, got highly involved with KKR; an eyewitness said that Shah Rukh Khan was embroiled in a hot debate with Ness Wadia, Punjab Kings co-owner. It would go on to informed discussions, but Wadia later denied any personal vendetta and said all stakeholders’ interests needed to be taken into consideration. “I have known Shah Rukh for over 25 years. There is no animosity here,” said Wadia while outlining a solution fair for all franchises. SRH Supports KKR’s Stance Supporting the stance of KKR, Kavya Maran from SRH opined that smaller auctions perhaps was the way ahead considering the stress it was to have a balanced side with the existing system in place. Using Abhishek Sharma as an example, whose journey to consistency took years, she spoke of a developing story of times and investment required in young talent. Delhi Capitals Opposes To this end, on the other side of this argument, Parth Jindal of Delhi Capitals responded to this by supporting the mega auction. He said, “having a mega auction makes it fair and keeps us competitive“. He further said he did not like the view to have the Impact Player rule continued as it hampers the development of allrounders in Indian cricket. Others on the franchisee level present for the meeting were Kiran Kumar Grandhi of Delhi Capitals, Sanjiv Goenka of Lucknow Super Giants, Rupa Gurunath of Chennai Super Kings, Manoj Badale of Rajasthan Royals and Prathmesh Mishra of Royal Challengers Bangalore. Some, such as Ambanis of Mumbai Indians, used video conferencing. BCCI Responds and the Future Steps Finally, after the deliberations, the BCCI released a statement admitting to the various views expressed by the franchise owners. The Board said that the inputs regarding player regulations and commercial matters, including central merchandising and licensing, would be taken up by the IPL Governing Council and reconsidered. Still Awaiting the Final Verdict As the cricketing world has to now wait and watch for the final decision of the BCCI, the mega auction further does go on to underline the complexities of balancing competition with the business interests for the diverse stakeholders associated with the IPL. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
IPL 2025: Here’s What Franchises Proposed Ahead Of 2025 Auction
In a series of feedback sessions with the Indian Premier League (IPL) officials, franchises have suggested several substantial changes to the player retention process, aiming to ensure more stability and strategic depth in team compositions. The next steps will be discussed in an upcoming meeting between IPL officials and franchise representatives, which will take place on 31st of July, 2024. Here are a couple of key suggestions from the franchises. 1. Mega Auction Cycle Change Franchises are advocating for the IPL mega auction to be held once every five years instead of the current three-year cycle. According to a senior franchise official, this change would offer multiple benefits, including the opportunity for teams to build continuity by developing young, especially uncapped Indian players. The longer cycle would incentivize franchises to continue investing in their grassroots academies without the immediate threat of losing nurtured talent to rival teams. 2. Retention and RTM Options Teams have proposed the ability to retain between four and six players, coupled with eight Right-to-Match (RTM) options. One of the franchise CEOs suggested allowing teams to retain one marquee player, such as the captain, with the rest being retained through RTMs, thus letting the market determine player prices and reducing potential dissatisfaction among retained players regarding their monetary value. 3. Salary Renegotiations Another proposal involves allowing franchises to renegotiate player salaries between mega auctions. This would help teams retain their core players and reach better terms with players originally acquired at lower prices. The process would be transparent, with new contracts declared to the IPL, however would be controlled by the franchise without players having the option to be released. Historical Context and Current Challenges Historically, the IPL has conducted mega auctions in four-year cycles twice in the last decade. The first was in 2018, following the 2014 auction and the return of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals from suspension. The COVID-19 pandemic caused the 2021 mega auction to be deferred by a year, leading to an extension of player contracts. Currently, franchises face challenges with players, particularly those who were uncapped and bought at low prices but have since become maga contributors or international players. These players might prefer re-entering the auction to secure higher contracts, which could be seen as unfair by the franchises that initially identified and developed them. Varied Responses to RTM-Only Proposal One of the franchises has proposed using only RTM options without any direct retentions, providing eight RTM options per team. The idea has received mixed reactions. Some franchises believe it promotes a level playing field, while others fear it could disrupt their auction strategy as rivals might drive up player prices. Focus on Fan Engagement Several franchises stretched on the importance of creating a loyal fan base. With frequent squad overhauls every three years, maintaining fan loyalty becomes challenging. Franchises argue that longer retention periods would help build stronger connections with fans, fostering a sense of loyalty and engagement. IPL officials and franchise representatives are expected to discuss these suggestions in detail in the forthcoming meeting. Other topics likely to be on the agenda include the Impact Player rule, which has received mixed feedback, the purse for the IPL 2025 auction and potential changes to the salary cap deduction for retained players. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
IPL 2024: How Ayurveda and Sports Science Helped Rishabh Pant?
All eyes were on Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant at the start of the IPL 2024. It won’t be wrong to say that he has done more than enough to warrant a place back in the Indian T20 squad for the World Cup in the West Indies and the US. He is already the leading run-getter for Delhi in IPL 2024. In 11 matches. Pant has slammed 398 runs at an average of 44.22, and a strike rate of 158.56, thus putting the speculations to rest, about his fitness. All of this looked highly impossible, a year-and-a-half-back, when Rishabh Pant met with a brutal car crash in December 2022. Since then, Rishabh had been on the sidelines, watching his teammates play, and also cheering for them. However, he never gave up on his dream to play for India again. The road was tough, and he was ready to do the hard yards. The BCCI has also posted videos of Pant’s road to recovery. One of the biggest roadblocks during the recovery was to get Pant back in shape, which will allow him to play cricket, freely. As per reports, Pant lost 16 kilograms in the last four months, through rigorous training, diet, and discipline. He clearly had to play in the IPL 2024, much to the surprise of the doctors who treated him.. So, what all Rishabh Pant have to go through, during this tough period? Here’s a snapshot: 1. Taking Care of His StomachPant started by making his stomach healthier using a special powder made from herbs and spices. This helped him digest food better and avoided tummy troubles. 2. Eating KhichdiFor the first two weeks of his recovery, Pant ate a lot of Khichdi, a simple dish made of rice and lentils. It gave him all the nutrition he needed and was easy to digest. 3. Following Ayurvedic PrinciplesPant’s diet matched his body’s natural balance, focusing on home-cooked meals to help him heal and feel more energetic. 4. Drinking Healthy JuicesTo help with stomach problems, Pant drank special juices made from carrots, beets, amla, mint, coriander, celery, and cucumber. These ingredients helped reduce inflammation and acidity in his stomach. 5. Watching His PortionsBesides eating healthy, Pant also made sure to control how much he ate to help him lose weight. 6. Working OutPant’s fitness routine included exercises like deadlifts and rowing to help him burn fat and build muscle. Rishabh Pant used different kinds of exercises to lose weight. A lot of these methods were based on sports science, which helps athletes improve their performance in a safe and effective way. Additionally, he may have incorporated specific workout routines tailored to burn fat and build muscle effectively. Sports Psychologist Dr. MN Viswanath while speaking to the Sportz Planet, emphasized on the mental state of Pant, during the last four months. He went on calling Pant as a fighter with a positive mental attitude. “Rishabh Pant was positive, hopeful, optimistic and determined throughout the rehabilitation peroid. He returned to the Delhi Capitals team for IPL 2024. His decent performances in IPL has earned him a place for the T20 World Cup.” Dr. Viswanath M said. Sports science also encompasses techniques for improving endurance, agility, and overall athletic performance, which Pant may have incorporated into his training regimen to achieve his weight loss goals. With the guidance of sports science professionals, Pant would have likely followed a structured and evidence-based approach to his weight loss journey, ensuring both safety and effectiveness. Now, with Pant back to near full fitness, it would be interesting to see whether his body can stand the demands of international cricket. So far, the signs have been good, and hopefully, Pant will take care of his physique to serve Indian cricket for a very long time. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Delhi Capitals Reveal Its Retained Players Ahead Of WPL 2024 Auction
JSW and GMR’s co-owned cricket team Delhi Capitals have released their list of retained players for the Women’s Premier League auction. The Delhi-based franchise has retained 15 players, including five international cricketers. Delhi Capitals reached the final of the inaugural Women’s Premier League, losing to Mumbai Indians in the title clash. The final list of retained players includes Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Shikha Pandey, Poonam Yadav, Radha Yadav, Arundhati Reddy, Taniyaa Bhatia, Minnu Mani, Sneha Deepthi, Titas Sadhu from India, and international players Meg Lanning (C), Jess Jonassen, Marizanne Kapp, Alice Capsey, Laura Harris are the ones retained. Wicketkeeper-batter Aparna Mondal, opener Jasia Akhter, and American fast-bowling all-rounder Tara Norris were released from the squad ahead of the auction. “The franchise organised a couple of off-season camps over the last few months, which has allowed us as a coaching group to have a look at the available talent, and also assess the physical condition and skills of our existing players. We’re hoping for a successful auction going into the new season,” said Assistant Coach Hemlata Kala.
