KKR, Mumbai Indians set to become franchise owners in UAE-based Premier League T20

The owners of the Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians franchise team are set to be announced in the coming days as franchise owners in a new T20 league to be based in the UAE. The six-team league has been sanctioned by the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) and is looking to make a space for itself in the January-February window. Although its inaugural edition in 2022 is likely to be played in February-March. The Premier League T20 has announced by ECB in August this year.

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What the officials said in their interview with ESPNCricinfo :

Now, however, according to an official involved in the planning of the league. Meanwhile, the discussions are in varying but broadly advanced stages with the six owners. Of those, the official said the Knight Riders owners are "on-board". While Reliance Industries, which own Mumbai Indians, are carrying out their own final due diligence. Although, the terms and conditions have been finalized. "We just need a formal handshake to make it final now," the official told ESPNcricinfo.

Other franchise owners include Capri Global, who bid recently but failed for an IPL franchise. Another is the Big Bash League's Sydney Sixers. However, the final owner is Kiran Kumar Grandhi, a co-owner of Delhi Capitals." With all six, contracts have been exchanged, and advanced discussions in place," the official said. "Financial terms have been finalized.

The details are being gone through in most instances, with lawyers, advisors, and so on. The IPL slant could have been heavier. The Chennai Super Kings owners were involved in the earliest discussions around the league. The discussions happened a couple of years ago. Sundar Raman, a former chief operating officer of the IPL was also part of the early strategizing around the league. He is currently an advisor with the Super Kings team.

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The UAE based leagues games and fixture rules :

As currently conceived, the league will be a double round-robin format with a knockout stage. A total of 34 games will happen in all. Which Also read: will be part of a knockout stage with qualifiers, an eliminator, and a final. As of now, no decision has been made on whether players will be brought in through a draft system, or an auction. Although, once the announcements have been made and plans are finalized.

Although the ECB has provided the sanction for the league. The league is being spearheaded by a team led by the board's vice-chairman, Khalid al Zarooni. Also, includes the board's general secretary Mubashir Usmani and Subhan Ahmed. Subhan is an advisor to the board and was formerly a senior and long-time PCB official. They will oversee an operational team that is likely to include former IMG officials.

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The official believes formal announcements of the franchise owners will start coming out in the next week. However, a broadcaster is expected to be announced in a similar timeframe.