Sports franchise selection from owner perspective - Lucknow IPL team case

 

RPSG Group won bid for Lucknow franchise with whopping INR 7090 Cr (USD 950 Mn) in October-21. There are lot of happenings in last ten days of new year 2022 with Lucknow IPL team. They selected Gautam Gambhir as team mentor, former Zimbabwe cricketer Andy Flower as main coach and India cricket Vijay Dahiya as assistant coach. They have also started their official twitter handle seeking official franchise name from cricket fans.

 

Courtsey - Lucknow official twitter

When owner or investor selects a team during sports league auction and bid for the same, there are lot of important things going on to lead that decision. Afterall, there is lot of money at stake. These points for selection are same for all kind of sports with all kinds of leagues in any part of world.

1. Cost-Revenue model

 

First important point is Cost-Revenue model for franchise over stipulated time of operations. In simple language, it is estimating total costs and total revenue for next few years of operations.

Cost is including franchise license fee, team players and support staff salaries, operational cost including all logistics arrangements like travel, hotel, sport kits, advertising-marketing fees and other administration charges.

Revenue is including broadcast rights, stadium tickets sale, title sponsorship for team, other support sponsorships, merchandizing, product promotions.

As rightly said by Mr. Sanjiv Goenka in his interview just after auction results for Lucknow bid that "Firstly, you invest a few crores for passion, you don't invest hundreds of crores for passion”. It is not only passion for sports but cost-revenue model and long-term perspective in mind.

Fantasy sports platform My11Circle has signed a deal to become official title sponsor of Lucknow team and it is estimated INR 23 Crore per year deal as per sources. Next step will be finalizing other support sponsors for the team.

 

2. Region of team and fanbase

 

Potential of region or city is important factor in decision of franchisee selection. If region or city is big, there is big fanbase. In case of Lucknow, it is part of Uttar Pradesh state of India which is biggest state by population. So, the fanbase is very high. This region has given lot of good players to India but they did not get their own IPL team earlier. So emotional connect is very high with the team.

 

3. Home Stadium facilities

 

During the season, team plays half matches at their home ground and half matches away. Ticket sales and in-stadium advertising of products are revenue streams for team franchise. So, if stadium infrastructure is modern with huge capacity, it is beneficial to franchisee. In case of Lucknow team, their official home stadium will be ‘Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium’ in Lucknow. It has seating capacity of 50,000. It is huge stadium.

 

Courtsey - Lucknow stadium facebook

4. Owner synergy with region or city

 

Every owner wants synergy or personal connect between his company or himself with region or city for which he wants team. It is important for brand recall, co-branding activities with fanbase. It is also important that fans connect well with franchisee brand.

For RPSG group for Lucknow franchise, there is lot of synergies between RPSG group and Uttar Pradesh. RPSG group company Noida Power Company Limited is doing power distribution in Greater Noida region. They have Spencer’s retail stores in various cities of Uttar Pradesh. This gives lot of synergy between RPSG group businesses and Uttar Pradesh region.

(Reference - RPSG group website)

IPL 2022 Lucknow team draft possibility

IPL 2022 teams available purse for mega auction

How much money can each franchise spend at the Mega IPL 2022 auction?

 

Indian Premier League 2022 mega auction will be carried out in February-2022. All old franchisees already declared their retention player lists. All these players are retained based on fee cap decided by IPL. These retained players will make core playing 11 so it is very crucial for all franchisees to select best available talent according to franchisee plan.

It is very unfortunate for all old franchisees to dismantle their set squad and this time there is no ‘Right to Match’ (RTM) available. Also, new franchisees like Lucknow and Ahmedabad have given option for draft to select maximum three players to make process fair for all. (Draft Players Possibility) All franchisees have already expressed their concern over dismantling of their team after few years of operation. So, there is possibility that 2022 mega auction will be last auction for next decade. There will be small auctions in every season and open trading window so that franchisees can change their squad little bit.

Budget is the main element of Mega auction. Different franchisees have different budgets based on their retained players. (Most valuable retentions) 

Below is highlight of retained players and budget available for each old franchisee. New teams have not decided yet their draft, so they are not covered in below list.

1. Mumbai Indians

Retained Player	Fee
Rohit Sharma	INR 16 Cr
Jasprit Bumrah	INR 12 Cr
Suryakumar Yadav	INR 8 Cr
Kieron Pollard	INR 6 Cr

­­­­Retention Amount spent – INR 42 Cr

Mega Auction purse available – INR 48 Cr

2. Chennai Super Kings

Retained Player	Fee
Ravindra Jadeja	INR 16 Cr
M S Dhoni	INR 12 Cr
Moeen Ali	INR 8 Cr
Ruturaj Gaikwad	INR 6 Cr

Retention Amount spent – INR 42 Cr

Mega Auction purse available – INR 48 Cr

3. Delhi Capitals

Retained Player	Fee
Rishabh Pant	INR 16 Cr
Axar Patel	INR 9 Cr
Prithvi Shaw	INR 7.5 Cr
Anrich Nortje	INR 6.5 Cr

Retention Amount spent – INR 42.5 Cr

Mega Auction purse available – INR 47.5 Cr

4. Kolkata Knight Riders

Retained Player	Fee
Andre Russell	INR 12 Cr
Varun Chakaravarthy	INR 8 Cr
Venkatesh Iyer	INR 8 Cr
Sunil Narine	INR 6 Cr

Retention Amount spent – INR 42 Cr

Mega Auction purse available – INR 48 Cr

5. Sunrisers Hyderabad

Retained Player	Fee
Kane Williamson	INR 14 Cr
Abdul Samad	INR 4 Cr
Umran Malik	INR 4 Cr

Retention Amount spent – INR 22 Cr

Mega Auction purse available – INR 68 Cr

6. Royal Challengers Bangalore

Retained Player	Fee
Virat Kohli	INR 15 Cr
Glenn Maxwell	INR 11 Cr
Mohammed Siraj	INR 7 Cr

Retention Amount spent – INR 33 Cr

Mega Auction purse available – INR 57 Cr

7. Rajasthan Royals

Retained Player	Fee
Sanju Samson	INR 14 Cr
Jos Buttler	INR 10 Cr
Yashasvi Jaiswal	INR 4 Cr

Retention Amount spent – INR 28 Cr

Mega Auction purse available – INR 62 Cr

8. Punjab Kings

Retained Player	Fee
Mayank Agarwal	INR 12 Cr
Arshdeep Singh	INR 4 Cr

Retention Amount spent – INR 18 Cr

Mega Auction purse available – INR 72 Cr

 

If the League Fee agreed with a Retained Player exceeds the relevant prescribed amount, then an amount equal to that higher League Fee shall be deducted from the relevant Franchisee’s Salary Cap.

If the League Fee agreed with a Retained Player is less than the relevant prescribed amount, then an amount equal to the relevant prescribed amount shall be deducted from the relevant Franchisee’s Salary Cap.

Best Opening pair in IPL 2022

 

Retentions for newly formed Ahmedabad and Lucknow franchisees are to be out soon. Mega auction will be held in February 2022. There are lot of speculations going on regarding players. Opening batsmen are having high importance in T20 format. Destructive opening pair is crucial during power play overs and overall performance of teams.

Most successful IPL teams are having best opening pairs. For example, Chennai Super Kings had Faf Du Plessis and Ruturaj Gaikwad or Delhi Capitals had Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan or Kolkata Knight Riders had V. Iyer and Shubman Gill or Punjab Kings had KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal. Most of retentions by franchisees are for openers like Sanju Samson, Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Prithvi Shaw, V Iyer, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Mayank Agarwal.  

Due to retention rules, almost all teams need to figure out new opening pairs. Based on various scenarios, following is possible best destructive opening pair list.

1. Virat Kohli – Shikhar Dhawan

Total IPL runs – 12067, Total IPL matches – 399, Total 50s – 86, Total 100s - 7

Strike Rate – Virat Kohli-130 & Shikhar Dhawan-127

2. Virat Kohli – David Warner

Total IPL runs – 11732, Total IPL matches – 357, Total 50s – 92, Total 100s - 9

Strike Rate – Virat Kohli-130 & David Warner-140

3. Rohit Sharma – Shikhar Dhawan

Total IPL runs – 11395, Total IPL matches – 405, Total 50s – 84, Total 100s - 3

Strike Rate – Rohit Sharma-130 & Shikhar Dhawan-127

4. Rohit Sharma – David Warner

Total IPL runs – 11060, Total IPL matches – 363, Total 50s – 90, Total 100s - 5

Strike Rate – Rohit Sharma-130 & David Warner-140

5. KL Rahul – Shikhar Dhawan

Total IPL runs – 9057, Total IPL matches – 286, Total 50s – 71, Total 100s - 4

Strike Rate – KL Rahul-136 & Shikhar Dhawan-127

6. David Warner – Faf Du Plessis

Total IPL runs – 8384, Total IPL matches – 250, Total 50s – 72, Total 100s - 4

Strike Rate – David Warner-140 & Faf Du Plessis-131

7. KL Rahul – David Warner

Total IPL runs – 8722, Total IPL matches – 244, Total 50s – 77, Total 100s - 6

Strike Rate – David Warner-140 & KL Rahul-136

8. Shikhar Dhawan – Faf Du Plessis

Total IPL runs – 8719, Total IPL matches – 292, Total 50s – 66, Total 100s - 2

Strike Rate – Shikhar Dhawan-127 & Faf Du Plessis-131

9. Mayank Agarwal – Shikhar Dhawan

Total IPL runs – 7915, Total IPL matches – 292, Total 50s – 55, Total 100s - 3

Strike Rate – Shikhar Dhawan-127 & Mayank Agarwal-135

10. Aaron Finch – Shikhar Dhawan

Total IPL runs – 7789, Total IPL matches – 279, Total 50s – 58, Total 100s - 2

Strike Rate – Aaron Finch-128 & Shikhar Dhawan-127

 

For above opening pairs list, we assumed left-hand and right-hand combination. Also, Quinton De Kock availability in IPL is not sure after his retirement from test cricket so he is not considered in opening pair list. Retention list for Ahmedabad and Lucknow franchisees are not out. Above opening pair list can be changed depending on this retention by Ahmedabad and Lucknow franchisees.

Vijay Hazare Trophy 2021 top run scorer list

Vijay Hazare Trophy 2021 top wicket takers list

Himachal Pradesh won Vijay Hazare Trophy 2021 by beating Tamil Nadu in final and claimed their maiden domestic one-day championship. There are brilliant performances with bat and bowl during the season.

Following are top wicket takers from Vijay Hazare Trophy 2021 season:

1. Yash Thakur (Right arm medium)

Team – Vidarbha

Matches Played – 7, Total Wickets – 18, Economy – 5.72

4 Wickets – 1, 5 Wickets – 1, Best – 5/53

2. Rishi Dhawan (Right arm medium fast)

Team – Himachal Pradesh

Matches Played – 8, Total Wickets – 17, Economy – 6.00

4 Wickets – 1, 5 Wickets – 0, Best – 4/27

3. Washington Sundar (Right arm off break)

Team – Tamil Nadu

Matches Played – 8, Total Wickets – 16, Economy – 4.77

4 Wickets – 0, 5 Wickets – 1, Best – 5/48

4. R Silambarasan (Right arm medium fast)

Team – Tamil Nadu

Matches Played – 7, Total Wickets – 15, Economy – 4.77

4 Wickets – 2, 5 Wickets – 0, Best – 4/28

5. Shivam Mavi (Right arm fast)

Team – Uttar Pradesh

Matches Played – 7, Total Wickets – 15, Economy – 4.38

4 Wickets – 2, 5 Wickets – 0, Best – 4/26

6. A Choudhary (Left arm medium fast)

Team – Rajasthan

Matches Played – 6, Total Wickets – 14, Economy – 3.72

4 Wickets – 0, 5 Wickets – 0, Best – 3/20

7. Yuzvendra Chahal (Right arm leg break)

Team – Haryana

Matches Played – 5, Total Wickets – 14, Economy – 4.35

4 Wickets – 0, 5 Wickets – 0, Best – 3/42

8. Yash Dayal (Left arm medium fast)

Team – Uttar Pradesh

Matches Played – 7, Total Wickets – 14, Economy – 3.77

4 Wickets – 0, 5 Wickets – 1, Best – 5/31

Vijay Hazare Trophy 2021 top run scorer list

Lanka Premier League best players who can be considered for IPL 2022

 

Second edition of Lanka Premier League (LPL) Twenty20 cricket tournament just finished on 23^rd December-2021. Jaffna Kings won second title. This league timing is very crucial just ahead of Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction to be held in February-2022.

There are few players who can be considered for Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction from Lanka Premier League. Following is list of players.

1. BKG Mendis (Kusal Mendis) – Wicketkeeper right hand batsman

Team – Galle Gladiators

Matches Played – 10, Total Runs – 327, Strike Rate – 148.63

100s – 0, 50s – 2, 4s – 32, 6s – 9, Highest Score – 85

2. WIA Fernando (Avishka Fernando) – Right hand opening batsman

Team – Jaffna Kings

Matches Played – 10, Total Runs – 312, Strike Rate – 152.94

100s – 1, 50s – 2, 4s – 26, 6s – 19, Highest Score – 100

3. Philip Dean Salt (PD Salt) – Wicketkeeper right hand batsman

Team – Dambulla Giants

Matches Played – 10, Total Runs – 301, Strike Rate – 154.35

100s – 0, 50s – 2, 4s – 32, 6s – 10, Highest Score – 64

4. Tom Kohler Cadmore – Right hand batsman

Team – Jaffna Kings

Matches Played – 11, Total Runs – 296, Strike Rate – 137.03

100s – 0, 50s – 2, 4s – 19, 6s – 20, Highest Score – 92

5. Samit Patel – Slow left arm orthodox

Team – Galle Gladiators

Matches Played – 10, Total Wickets – 16, Economy – 5.76

4 Wickets – 0, 5 Wickets – 0, Best – 3/13

6. Maheesh Theekshana – Right arm off break

Team – Jaffna Kings

Matches Played – 10, Total Wickets – 16, Economy – 6.87

4 Wickets – 1, 5 Wickets – 0, Best – 4/25

7. Jayden Seales – Right arm medium fast

Team – Jaffna Kings

Matches Played – 7, Total Wickets – 15, Economy – 7.81

4 Wickets – 1, 5 Wickets – 0, Best – 4/13

8. Imran Tahir – Right arm leg spinner

Team – Dambulla Giants

Matches Played – 10, Total Wickets – 15, Economy – 6.00

4 Wickets – 0, 5 Wickets – 0, Best – 3/20

Vijay Hazare Trophy 2021 top run scorer list

 

Himachal Pradesh won Vijay Hazare Trophy 2021 by beating Tamil Nadu in final and claimed their maiden domestic one-day championship. There are brilliant performances with bat and bowl during the season.

Following are top run scorers from Vijay Hazare Trophy 2021 season:

1. Ruturaj Gaikwad

Team – Maharashtra

Matches Played – 5, Total Runs – 603, Strike Rate – 112.92

100s – 4, 50s – 0, 4s – 51, 6s – 19, Highest Score - 168

2. Rishi Dhawan

Team – Himachal Pradesh

Matches Played – 8, Total Runs – 458, Strike Rate – 127.22

100s – 0, 50s – 5, 4s – 52, 6s – 8, Highest Score – 91*

3. Prashant Chopra

Team – Himachal Pradesh

Matches Played – 8, Total Runs – 456, Strike Rate – 73.31

100s – 0, 50s – 5, 4s – 41, 6s – 12, Highest Score – 99

4. Shubham Sharma

Team – Madhya Pradesh

Matches Played – 6, Total Runs – 418, Strike Rate – 96.31

100s – 1, 50s – 4, 4s – 42, 6s – 4, Highest Score – 108

5. Rinku Singh

Team – Uttar Pradesh

Matches Played – 7, Total Runs – 379, Strike Rate – 89.17

100s – 1, 50s – 4, 4s – 36, 6s – 6, Highest Score – 104

6. Manan Vohra

Team – Chandigarh

Matches Played – 5, Total Runs – 379, Strike Rate – 94.75

100s – 2, 50s – 2, 4s – 34, 6s – 6, Highest Score – 141

7. Venkatesh Iyer

Team – Madhya Pradesh

Matches Played – 6, Total Runs – 379, Strike Rate – 133.92

100s – 2, 50s – 1, 4s – 19, 6s – 21, Highest Score – 151

8. Prerak Mankad

Team – Saurashtra

Matches Played – 7, Total Runs – 376, Strike Rate – 114.98

100s – 1, 50s – 2, 4s – 48, 6s – 11, Highest Score – 106*

9. Dinesh Karthik

Team – Tamil Nadu

Matches Played – 8, Total Runs – 376, Strike Rate – 98.68

100s – 1, 50s – 2, 4s – 34, 6s – 13, Highest Score – 116

10. K S Bharat

Team – Andhra Pradesh

Matches Played – 5, Total Runs – 370, Strike Rate – 108.18

100s – 2, 50s – 0, 4s – 39, 6s – 15, Highest Score – 161*

IPL 2022: young players from Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Who Can Bag an IPL Contract

 

Indian Premier League 2022 mega auction date is coming near and all teams started their exercise to scout good young Indian players. One such event from which players can be scouted is Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy completed recently. It has seen in past that team who has best Indian talent played very well in Indian Premier League. So, every team is giving importance to scout process.

There are few young players who made a mark in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. These young players did not play single IPL match earlier but they will have chance during 2022 mega auction.

1. Tanmay Agarwal (Left-handed top order batsman)

Team – Hyderabad

Age – 26

Total Runs – 334, Strike Rate – 148.44, Fifties – 4

2. Ashwin Hebbar (Right-handed batsman)

Team – Andhra Pradesh

Age – 26

Total Runs – 279, Strike Rate – 133.49, Fifties – 1, Hundred – 1

3. Atharva Taide (Left-handed batsman)

Team – Vidarbha

Age – 21

Total Runs – 270, Strike Rate – 137.05, Fifties – 1

4.  Chama Milind (Left arm medium)

Team – Hyderabad

Age – 27

Total Wickets – 18, Economy – 8.41, 5 Wickets – 2 times

5. CV Stephen (Left arm medium fast)

Team – Andhra Pradesh

Age – 28

Total Wickets – 14, Economy – 6.05, 4 Wickets – 1 time

6. Akshay Karnewar (Right arm off spin)

Team – Vidarbha

Age – 29

Total Wickets – 13, Economy – 4.34, 4 Wickets – 1 time

7. Darshan Nalkande (Right arm fast medium)

Team – Vidarbha

Age – 23

Total Wickets – 13, Economy – 5.88, 5 Wickets – 1 time, 4 Wickets – 1 time

 

There are other players like Deepak Hooda, Ajinkya Rahane, Manan Vohra, Manish Pandey, Samuel Jackson, Jaydev Unadkat who played well during Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy for their respective teams. However, above players are selected based on age and not played single match during IPL.