Bengaluru
The Karnataka State Cricket Association is set to establish a dedicated Governing Council (GC) to oversee the conduct of the Maharaja and Maharani T20 tournaments, aligning its structure with models followed in leagues like the Indian Premier League.
The decision will be formalised at a Special General Meeting (SGM) scheduled for Friday, as mandated by KSCA bye-laws, which require any franchise-based T20 competition to be administered by a Governing Council. The upcoming Maharaja and Maharani Cups are slated to be held in August.
The seven-member GC will comprise a mix of ex-officio officials, elected representatives and nominees. Key members include KSCA Honorary Secretary Santosh Menon and Treasurer BN Madhukar, along with former managing committee members AV Shashidhar and MS Keshav. Anita Bhat Wagle will also be part of the panel, alongside a representative from the Accountant General’s office and KSCA CEO Shubhendu Ghosh.
Interestingly, the election process for two GC posts concluded without a contest. With only Shashidhar and Keshav remaining in the fray after other candidates withdrew, both are set to be elected unopposed. KSCA officials emphasised that the process strictly follows the association’s constitutional guidelines.
“This is the right way to conduct a franchise-based tournament. The Governing Council must be formed through a Special General Meeting and should administer the event,” a KSCA official noted, underlining adherence to established norms.
Apart from ratifying the council, the SGM will also approve budgets for the twin tournaments. The Maharaja Cup is projected to cost approximately ₹16 crore, with major expenses including ₹4 crore towards broadcast rights, ₹3 crore for television production, ₹5 crore for event management and ₹3 crore for infrastructure.
To ensure financial sustainability, KSCA plans to offset these costs through franchise fees, sponsorship deals and other revenue streams. The structured approach is aimed at strengthening Karnataka’s domestic T20 ecosystem while creating a commercially viable model.
With governance and financial frameworks falling into place, KSCA hopes the Maharaja and Maharani Cups will emerge as marquee platforms for nurturing local talent and expanding the reach of franchise cricket in the state.
