BCCI ordered to pay $62.34 million over termination of Kochi Tuskers Kerala IPL franchise

The Bombay High Court has directed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to pay a total of ₹538.84 crore ($62.34 million) in damages to Kochi Cricket Private Limited (KCPL) and Rendezvous Sports World (RSW) over the controversial termination of the Kochi Tuskers Kerala franchise from the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2011.

In a ruling issued Tuesday, Justice Riyaz I. Chagla upheld the arbitral awards issued in 2015, rejecting BCCI’s legal challenge. KCPL will receive ₹385.50 crore, while RSW is entitled to ₹153.34 crore.

The Kochi Tuskers Kerala played only one IPL season in 2011. The franchise was jointly owned by KCPL and RSW. It was terminated by BCCI in September 2011 for allegedly failing to submit a required bank guarantee by the agreed deadline. The matter was then taken to arbitration.

During their sole season, Kochi Tuskers Kerala finished eighth out of ten teams, with six wins in 14 matches. Notable players in the squad included Brendon McCullum, Ravindra Jadeja, Mahela Jayawardene, and Brad Hodge.

In his judgment, Justice Chagla emphasised that the court’s jurisdiction under Section 34 of the Arbitration Act is “very limited,” adding that BCCI’s attempt to challenge the arbitrator’s findings on merit was outside the scope of the law.

“The arbitrator’s conclusion that BCCI wrongfully invoked the bank guarantee — a repudiatory breach of the franchise agreement — stands on solid evidentiary ground,” the order stated.

The BCCI has been granted six weeks to file an appeal against the High Court’s ruling.