Kochi IPL is a newly added team to the Indian Premier League from the season 2011 onwards. The team was one of the two cricket franchises which were added by BCCI in the IPL team list after auction held in the March 2010. The Franchise team is owned by Rendezvous Sports World, which is infact a consortium built up of mulitple companies including Anchor Earth, Parinee Developers, Film Waves, Anand Shyam Estate and Rendezvous owned by Gaikwad Family.
Earlier, team was got into trouble after their owners disagree from the earlier pattern of share holding. Rendenzvous group, part of Gaikwad family insisted 25% share holding in the team while another group led by Anchor Earth ask to reduce Rendezvous holding to 10%. This led to dispute, exchange of several letters from and to BCCI. On the 27 October BCCI announced 30 Day notice to Kochi Franchise to submit all document within period or face suspension of the team.
Until the last day there was no hope of revival of the team but efforts from former External Affairs minister and others resolved the issue between both group of Kochi Franchise. At last on the last day both submitted letter confirming, that dispute has been resolved and it would take another five days to submit all the necessary details regarding Kochi Franchise. After much speculation it was finally announced by the BCCI that they would participate in the 2011 IPL Season
After being entry into the IPL by Kochi Franchise, now all the states in South India region has their own IPL team. Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh already have IPL Franchise team of their own. According to former External Affair Minister Shashi Tharoor, the Kochi IPL team would be for whole Kerala. After the initial years of operation, team will move their matches to other secondary towns within Kerala to promote cricket and tourism along side.
The Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) has begin the construction of new world cup class International stadium near Edakochi, just few kms away from Kochi city. According to reports, capacity of the stadium would be of around 50,000 spectators. Until stadium is built, Kochi IPL is planning to host their matches at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium owner by city municpal on lease. JNS has already hosted several One Day International matches at the stadium, but most of them has been abadone due to rain and bad weather leading to critizm of ground facility. Team is thought to be in contact with Pakistan cricket team coach Geoff Lawson to coach the IPL Franchise team but officially no party has confirmed this.
