Delhi Capitals co-owners eye revival of CPL franchise Jamaica Tallawahs

Delhi Capitals co-owners eye revival of CPL franchise Jamaica Tallawahs (Source: CPL T20/CPL T20 via Getty Images)

Delhi Capitals’ co-owners GMR Group are in talks with Jamaica Tallawahs to relaunch the franchise in the Caribbean Premier League. The Tallawahs have not featured in the the tournament for the past couple of editions.

GMR, an Indian infrastructure conglomerate, has expanded its cricketing portfolio in recent years with involvement of Seattle Orcas in Major League Cricket, Dubai Capitals in the ILT20, Hampshire in English county cricket and Southern Brave in The Hundred. GMR also owns teams in kabaddi and kho kho.

Jamaica Tallawahs are three-time CPL champions and one of the tournament’s six inaugural franchises. Kris Persaud, the franchise’s most recent owner, sold it back to the league in 2023 and bought the rights to a new team – Antigua and Barbuda Falcons.

Persaud cited a lack of support from Government of Jamaica as one of the prime reasons behind the team’s disbanding. Ahead of this month’s elections, which were won by the Labour Party, the sports and tourism ministry confirmed that it was “finalising arrangements” for the tournament’s return to Jamaica in the wake of recent investments made to  Sabina Park.

GMR officials attended the CPL final on Sunday and are considered strong favourites to run the franchise from next year onwards, as per ESPNcricinfo. There would be an increase in fixtures due to the addition  of a team.

The CPL’s chief executive officer Pete Russell had earlier said that the league is “very excited at the prospect of a return to Jamaica” after “fruitful and engaging discussions” with the government.

“We are hopeful that these negotiations will reach a positive conclusion in the coming months,” stated Russell,” as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

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