Deccan Chargers win long-drawn dispute against BCCI

One of the former IPL teams, Deccan Chargers have won a dispute over their unlawful termination against BCCI. The cricketing body will now be paying 4800 crore rupees to Deccan Chronicle Holdings Ltd (DCHL), who owned the Hyderabad franchise. The termination had occurred in 2012 and since then Sunrisers Hyderabad have represented the region in the IPL.

The company owning Deccan Chargers had challenged the termination by BCCI over concerns of the company’s financial stability. BCCI had said in 2012 that players were not paid and in addition, there were other pending dues. After eight long years, the sole arbitrator former Supreme Court Judge, C K Thakker, via a virtual proceeding, pronounced the award orally.

“BCCI had terminated the contract of Deccan Chronicle a day before (the deadline). The challenge was in respect of illegal and premature termination and the tribunal has also come to the conclusion that the termination was premature,” Ashish Pyasi, associate partner of Dhir and Dhir Associates, which represented DCHL, was quoted as saying in Moneycontrol.

Lying at the final spot in the inaugural IPL, Deccan Chargers went on to clinch the title in 2009 under Adam Gilchrist’s leadership. They reached semi-finals in the next edition before two group stage exits in 2011 and 2012. On 14 September 2012, the team was permanently banned by IPL governing council, terminated the Chargers for breaching contract terms.