In a significant legal development that has reignited an old chapter of the Indian Premier League, the now-defunct Kochi Tuskers Kerala (KTK) franchise has secured a legal victory over the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), prompting fresh scrutiny on a related but unresolved issue — the long-pending dues owed to former players like Ravindra Jadeja, VVS Laxman, and others associated with the team during its short-lived stint in the IPL.
The Kochi franchise was part of the 2011 IPL season, after which it was terminated by the BCCI for breach of contract, reportedly related to issues surrounding the team’s ownership structure. This resulted in a long legal battle, culminating in an arbitration award in favour of the franchise. Recently, the Bombay High Court directed the BCCI to honour the arbitral award, which includes financial compensation for the wrongful termination of the Kochi franchise.
This judicial ruling has now triggered discussions around another aspect of the controversy — the unpaid salaries and dues owed to several cricketers and staff who were part of the Kochi setup. According to reports, key Indian names like Ravindra Jadeja, VVS Laxman, RP Singh, and Parthiv Patel were among the players who never received their full payments for their services during the 2011 season. Laxman, who had retired from international cricket shortly after, had taken on a mentorship role with the franchise.
With the court backing Kochi’s claim, legal experts suggest that the ball is now in BCCI’s court not just to settle the amount due to the franchise owners, but also to address the long-standing player dues that had been put on hold amidst the dispute. The sentiment within cricketing circles is that if the franchise has won the legal battle proving wrongful termination, then all contractual obligations — including pending player payments — should logically follow.
Ravindra Jadeja, who was then an up-and-coming all-rounder, had been one of the standout performers for Kochi in that lone season. His growth in Indian cricket since then has made him one of the most recognizable and respected figures in the game. For him, and others like RP Singh who were in their prime back then, the issue of unpaid dues isn’t just about the money — it’s about professional fairness and accountability.
VVS Laxman, now a prominent figure in Indian cricket administration, has remained publicly silent on the issue in recent years, possibly due to his current role within the National Cricket Academy. However, those close to the situation recall that he had earlier expressed hope that the BCCI would do justice by ensuring players weren’t collateral damage in franchise-ownership disputes.
This revival of the Kochi case has raised broader questions about the BCCI’s responsibility toward player contracts in the IPL, particularly in instances where off-field legal or ownership issues leave professionals unpaid. As the cricket board now looks toward settling the matter legally with the defunct franchise, many are hoping it will also use the opportunity to clear the slate with former players and support staff who have been waiting for over a decade.
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