IPL Team From Andhra Pradesh: CM Jagan Mohan Reddy Unveils His Plan; Actor Ram Charan To Be Owner, Claim Reports

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy last week directed concerned officials to create an environment conducive for cricket in the state to flourish and ultimately have the talent pool to have a team in the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL).

Since the separation of Telangana from Andhra Pradesh in 2014 and Hyderabad being named the capital, the IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad now represents the newly formed state of Telangana.

Andhra Pradesh Govt Wants IPL Team From State?

At a meeting to review the activities of the youth services and sports department, the Chief Minister instructed officials to seek the guidance of one of the most successful IPL teams, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), to develop professional teams at the district and constituency levels.

"Taking inspiration from Ambati Rayudu and K S Bharat, we shall groom more cricketers. In the beginning, we will hand over the coaching responsibilities to CSK at three stadia and in the future, we shall seek the cooperation of the Mumbai Indians team also," he was quoted as saying in a release.

Recently, CSK team owner Rupa Gurunath, daughter of former BCCI Chief N Srinivasan, and CSK batter Ambati Rayudu - who hails from Andhra Pradesh - paid a visit to the Andhra CM's office.

Ram Charan To Be Owner of Andhra IPL Team?

As per reports, superstar Ram Charan has expressed his interest in owning an IPL team (in the future). Business conglomerate Adani - who failed to win a bid for the two new franchises ahead of the IPL 2022 season - might tie up with the Telugu actor to co-own a team in Andhra Pradesh.

Andhra IPL Team Host City

Visakhapatnam which has the Dr Y S Rajashekar Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium - named after CM Jagan's father and former Andhra CM Dr YSR Reddy - will be the host city for the IPL franchise. As per sources, the franchise would be called 'Vizag Warriors'. However, the BCCI is not going to invite bids for new IPL franchises in the coming years.

Andhra IPL Team: Too Far A Dream

The sponsorship, TV and digital rights for the 2022-27 cycle have already been sold and there is hardly a possibility of adding a new team into the IPL fold. A new team will be added only in the new cycle i.e. for IPL 2028 and given the expanding reach of the cash-rich league, the BCCI might not be averse to adding a couple of new teams.

Andhra Pradesh Government taking a leaf out of Odisha Sports Model

Aimed at encouraging youth to take up sports, the state government also decided to organise 'Play Andhra', a state-wide sports festival, which will also become an annual affair. Organised at the village, mandal, district and constituency levels, the festival will encompass cricket, kabaddi, volleyball, badminton, Kho-kho and other sports.

The Naveen Pattnaik-led Government in Odisha is the only state in the country to sponsor national and private teams. Under the 'Odisha Sports Model', the eastern state government is the official sponsor of Indian National Hockey Teams, and Indian Super League club Odisha FC. The state government owns the Kho-Kho team Odisha Juggernauts in the Ultimate Kho Kho.