Ravindra Jadeja, VVS Laxman Among Unpaid Kochi Tuskers Kerala Players as Rs 538 Crore Dispute Resurfaces

Over a decade after Kochi Tuskers Kerala (KTK) played their only season in the Indian Premier League (IPL), unresolved financial issues continue to affect several high-profile cricketers.

Star names like Ravindra Jadeja, VVS Laxman, Mahela Jayawardene, and Brendon McCullum are reportedly still awaiting a portion of their salaries from the now-defunct franchise.

KTK, owned by Kochi Cricket Private Limited (KCPL), featured in IPL 2011 but had their agreement terminated by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) after just one season. The fallout triggered legal proceedings, and after years of arbitration and litigation, the Bombay High Court earlier this week upheld the arbitral awards passed in 2015 in favour of the franchise's owners.

According to the court's ruling, the BCCI is obligated to pay Rs 285.50 crore to Kochi Cricket Private Limited and Rs 153.34 crore to Rendezvous Sports World. In its judgment, the court emphasized the limited scope of interference allowed under Section 34 of the Arbitration Act.

"The jurisdiction of this Court under Section 34 of the Arbitration Act is very limited. BCCI's endeavour to delve into the merits of the dispute is in teeth of the scope of the grounds contained in Section 34 of the Act. BCCI's dissatisfaction as to the findings rendered in respect of the evidence and/or the merits cannot be a ground to assail the Award," the order stated.

The court further noted that:

"The conclusion of the learned Arbitrator namely that BCCI had wrongfully invoked the bank guarantee which amounted to a repudiatory breach of the KCPL-FA would call for no interference under Section 34 of the Arbitration Act considering that this is based on a correct appreciation of the evidence on record."

Following the High Court's decision, a Mathrubhumi report revealed that several players who represented the Kochi franchise in 2011 are still awaiting their final salary instalments. The franchise is said to have paid the first two tranches of player salaries, but the final instalment - which comprised 35% of the total agreed amount - remains unpaid.

Among the worst affected are Mahela Jayawardene, who is reportedly owed over Rs 2 crore, and Brendon McCullum, whose pending dues amount to approximately Rs 75 lakh. Other players still awaiting payment include former India pacer S Sreesanth, Australia's Steve Smith, and Indian wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel.

KTK had a moderate debut season in IPL 2011, finishing eighth on the points table with six wins from 14 matches. That season saw Chennai Super Kings successfully defend their title, defeating Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the final to lift their second IPL trophy.

With the court now ruling in favour of the franchise owners, it remains to be seen if the financial relief will trickle down to the players who have been left in the lurch for over 13 years.