MCC refuse to bid for IPL franchise

The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has decided not to bid for any IPL franchise, after they had shown some early interest in it. The official reason that was given was that the MCC – also called the guardians of the sport of cricket – would like a broader role in the relationship with the IPL.

The chief of the MCC, Keith Bradshaw, had earlier said that the MCC were interested in buying out a team. The IPL currently has eight teams featuring in the tournament since 2008, but there will be two more teams added from the 2011 edition of the tournament.

The MCC had earlier said that they had not decided whether or not they would bid for the team as a stand-alone franchise or as a consortium. Bradshaw and a trustee Anthony Wreford had travelled to India to get in touch with potential investors, but after an MCC committee meeting at Lord's earlier this week they won't be bidding for any team.

Bradshaw said that there was a healthy debate that had taken place and based on that, the decision that was taken was that they will probably discuss other ideas with the IPL and maintain a close working relationship with the tournament.

The third edition of the tournament begins from the 12th of March and Delhi Daredevils go into the tourney as favourites – 9/2 at Totesport. Willim Hill offers 15/8 for Chennai Super Kings to reach the finals, while Kolkata Knight Riders and Kings XI Punjab are at 7/2 (William Hill) to do so as well.

With the kind of form that Gautam Gambhir (9/2 at Stan James) has shown in this format of the game, and given that as a captain he will probably play all the games in the tournament, he starts out as a favourite to top-score amongst the Indian batsmen in the tournament. So does Virender Sehwag (9/2 at Stan James), while Sachin Tendulkar is the next favourite (11/2 at Stan James).