RPSG group and CVC Capital secured ownership rights of two new IPL teams for 7,090 crores and 5625 crores.
On Thursday (October 28), BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal said the global interest for new franchises in the IPL only shows that it is the biggest 'Make in India' brand and the whopping amount of money in its system will also help the game globally.
Earlier this week, a total of 10 parties threw their hats into the rings to own the two new IPL franchises. The bidders got to pick from six cities - Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Cuttack, Dharamsala, Guwahati, and Indore - to base their team in.
The RPSG Group secured Lucknow as their home base with a winning bid of INR 7090 crores while CVC Capital opted for Ahmedabad with a bid of Rs 5625 crores.
The owners of Manchester United also tried to be part of the IPL but lost out in the bidding race.
"All of us Indians have to be proud of the fact that how IPL has grown over the years and how it has become a global sporting brand. For Manchester United owners and the likes of CVC, they eyeing for the IPL says it all. It is the biggest 'Make in India' brand the country has created and we all have to be proud of it," Dhumal told PTI in an exclusive chat.
"Forget the numbers, what it has showcased the world is that we are capable of organising a tournament of this scale very successfully. The best of players want to be part of it. It has also changed the way cricket is played across formats.
"It is not for us to evaluate. The market is the best place to determine the price. We have opened the property to the world and people are valuing it. You can say the numbers were mindboggling back in 2008 (before first edition) but look what it has done to the eight franchisees.
"Likewise, the new teams would have also done the number crunching much before they came to the table for bidding and they know the value it brings to them," he added.
There will be a total of 74 matches from the IPL 2022 onwards with 10 teams taking part in it and the media rights is expected to breach the mark of INR 30000 crore for the 2023-2027 cycle.
"It bodes well for the game of cricket. This will not only help Indian cricket but also global cricket. The best players want to be part of it and this has also created a buzz among the budding cricketers globally," said Dhumal.
The BCCI treasurer also spoke about the upcoming mega auction, saying the process will be fair for all teams.
"We are working on that and we will make sure that all including the new teams get a fair chance to build their side. The competitiveness of the tournament has to be there, that is why people watch the IPL," Dhumal said.
(With PTI inputs)