BCCI axes Rajasthan, Punjab from IPL

The decision was taken after the Board took a legal opinion, it said in a statement issued after the IPL governing council meeting in Mumbai.

"It was unanimously decided that the Franchise agreements with K P H Dream Cricket Pvt Ltd (Kings XI Punjab) and Jaipur IPL Cricket Pvt Ltd (Rajasthan Royals) be terminated forthwith based on the Legal opinions obtained by BCCI in the matters," BCCI secretary said in the statement.

"It was further unanimously decided to issue a notice to the Unincorporated Joint Venture holding the Kochi Franchise calling upon them to resolve all their disputes and form a Joint Venture Company which will hold the IPL Franchise rights," it added.

The advocate for BCCI, P R Ramanna has been given instructions to issue all three notices.

BCCI president Shashank Manohar told reporters that the Kochie franchise had not breached it agreement with the IPL and had thus been given 10 days to set its house in order.

"Kochi has not yet breached the agreement. There are some internal disputes. The decision to terminate the contract of Punjab and Rajasthan franchises were taken based on legal opinion and the breaches committed by these franchises," Manohar said in response to persistent questions from reporters as to why Kochi had been treated differently.

Asked about the breaches committed by Rajasthan Royals, who won the inaugural IPL in 2008, Manohar said: "They had a different bidder during auctions. The agreement was entered in the name of a different company. The shareholding patterns were different and then the shares were transferred to different people without the permission of the Governing Council."

He denied that the action had to do with the proximity of suspended IPL commissioner Lalit Modi with one of the suspended franchises.

"The decisions were not taken due to any person," Manohar said, without elaborating.

Rajasthan Royals co-owner Shilpa Shetty said she was shocked.

"I am very shocked. I have not received any letter (informing me of the action). I need to know the basis of the action," the Bollywood star said.

The Kerala Cricket Assocation (KCA) Sunday hoped the row over the Kochi franchise would soon be resolved.

"To the best of my knowledge, whatever slight difference of opinion the partners had has been settled and they are working together to see the team becomes a reality," KCA secretary T C Mathew said.