Dubai, Oct 25 (Representative) Kolkata-based business tycoon Sanjiv Goenka’s RPSG Group and international equity investment firm Irelia Company Pte Limited (CVC Capital Partners) won the ownership rights of the two new franchises in the IPL. While RPSG Group won the Lucknow franchise at a whopping Rs 7090 crore, CVC Capital Partners claimed the bid for Ahmedabad at Rs 5625 crore. Earlier, Goenka had owned the Rising Pune Supergiant franchise, which played in 2016 and 2017 seasons along with Gujarat Lions as the replacement franchises for the suspended Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals. The RP-SG managed team reached the 2017 IPL final after they had a poor run in the previous season. They lost to Mumbai Indians by a solitary run in Hyderabad. Speaking to a section of media, RP-SG Group Owner Sanjeev Goenka said, “I am delighted that our staff and personnel have won the bid for the Lucknow team at Rs 7090 crore.”
He also confirmed CVC Capital winning the bid for the Ahmedabad team. Giving reason for bidding for the Lucknow team, Goenka said Lucknow is a very good market, which is starved of good entertainment. “In Greater Noida we distribute power. In Uttar Pradesh we have retail stores. We were aware of the market there. And we feel it is a very good market. There is a lot of traction there. It is a state which is starved of good entertainment,” he said. Asked about the team formation, Goenka said the franchise will decide on it after BCCI gives clarity on the retention policy. BCCI Honorary Treasurer Arun Singh Dhumal said the fact that winning bids were way above the base price set for the two new IPL franchises is a direct indication of the true value of the Indian Premier League.