RPG shows interest in new IPL team

MUMBAI/NEW DELHI: RPG Enterprises sources confirmed to TOI on Friday that the Kolkata-based company was looking to acquire one of the two new Indian Premier League (IPL) teams which are up for grabs.
A source in RPG Enterprises said, "We are looking at bidding for a franchise. A two-year window to own and run an IPL franchise is a great opportunity to dip your feet and see if a long-term association is possible."
RPG Enterprise's declaration of intent came on the same day the Indian cricket board (BCCI) released the invitation to tender for the right to manage and operate the two proposed franchises, which will be a part of the league only for the 2016 and 2017 seasons.
It was also reported in the media on Tuesday that India's ODI captain MS Dhoni was interested in buying an IPL team with the support of some Ranchi-based industrialists, including the Mittals. It claimed that Dhoni had approached the BCCI to state that he had the requisite support to acquire a team.
However, Dhoni's close friend and owner of Rhiti Sports, Arun Pandey dismissed these rumours. "These are baseless rumours. Playing cricket is Dhoni's only entertainment, not getting into these kind of things. Moreover, he is committed to playing in IPL in 2016," he told TOI.
Nine venues have been finalized for the walk-in bid scheduled for Dec 8. The two teams will have a base price of Rs 40 crore each in a 'reverse bidding' process. The two with lowest bids will get to own a franchise each.