Court says no tender for new IPL franchise till Sept 24

The Bombay High Court has adjourned its hearing on the petition filed by Deccan Chargers against their termination from the IPL to September 24, and asked the BCCI not to float any new tender for a new franchise in Hyderabad. The franchise's owners, Deccan Chronicles Holdings Limited (DCHL), had on Saturday, challenged the BCCI decision to expel them, saying there was no breach committed as alleged by the Indian board.

On Monday, the BCCI counsel submitted an exhaustive affidavit that DCHL's team of lawyers sought some time to read. Justice SJ Kathawalla granted them a week's time, ordering status quo on the matter.

"The BCCI filed a counter-affidavit today," a board official told ESPNcricinfo. "Deccan Chargers wanted some time to go through [the papers]. The affidavit discloses that that we were never going to float a new tender for a franchise in Hyderabad in any case." Justice Kathawala is understood to have made it clear to the court that he was not "staying the termination".

Even though the board was not surprised by DCHL's decision to take legal recourse, the BCCI is believed to be disappointed at not being able to move on its plan to get a new franchise on board. "We have the new tender ready with a shortlist of new cities, but can't do much at the moment," the official said.