DC co-owners looking to bring back Jamaica Tallawahs as they look to diversify their franchise cricket portfolio.
DC co-owners in talks to relaunch Jamaica Tallawahs.
Relaunching the Jamaica Tallawahs franchise in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is being discussed in advance by the GMR Group, who co-own the Delhi Capitals (DC) in the IPL.
In recent years, the Indian infrastructure firm GMR has greatly increased the scope of its cricketing operations. In addition to owning teams in the Indian sports of kabaddi and kho kho, it is directly involved in the operations of the Southern Brave in the Hundred, the Hampshire in English county cricket, the Seattle Orcas in Major League Cricket, and the Dubai Capitals in the ILT20.
Three-time CPL champions Jamaica Tallawahs, one of the league’s six original teams, have missed the last two seasons of play. In 2023, Kris Persaud, the team’s most recent owner, sold it back to the league and purchased the rights to a new team, the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons.
Persaud stated that the franchise’s first dissolution was due to the Jamaican government’s lack of support. However, in light of recent investments in Sabina Park facilities, the ministry of sports and tourism declared prior to this month’s elections, which were won by the current Labour Party, that it was “finalising arrangements” for the restoration of a CPL franchise to Jamaica.
Officials from GMR attended Sunday’s CPL final and stated that they are the clear favourites to lead the team starting in the following season. An increase in the amount of games played would result from their being the seventh team in the league.
Earlier this month, CPL CEO Pete Russell stated that the league is “very excited at the prospect of a return to Jamaica” following “fruitful and engaging discussions” with the administration. “We are hopeful that these negotiations will reach a positive conclusion in the coming months,” Russell stated.