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'If Kerala Has An IPL Team...,' - Muralitharan Urges BCCI To Add Another Franchise

image-lr4evd9tMuttiah Muralitharan (Twitter)

Muttiah Muralitharan urged the cricket authorities in Kerala to invest more in the development of the game and called for an Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise to be based in one of the most beautiful states of the country.

The Sri Lankan spin legend revisited Kerala on Sunday (January 6) and stepped on the Palace Oval Ground in Tripunithura, where, notably, the sound of the cricket balls hitting the bat was recorded for his biopic film '800', which was released in October. 


 

Muralitharan Calls For IPL Team Based in Kerala 

The Lankan spin legend, who remains the numero uno wicket-taker in Test cricket, believes an IPL franchise based in Kerala would be great for the growth of cricket in the state, from where only elegant wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has managed to become a household name.

Muralitharan expressed his bond with Kerala, having represented the now-defunct Kochi Tuskers Kerala back at the 2011 edition of the marquee T20 league. The Tuskers were disbanded after just one season following a financial battle with the BCCI. 

"Football is more popular in Kerala. When I played for Kochi Tuskers we didn't have the same vibe in the gallery that the current ISL side enjoys. Clubs like Tripunithura Cricket Club should come forward and promote cricket in the state," Muralitharan was quoted as saying by Times of India. 

"In 2011, we played only for a year, which was unfortunate for Kerala cricket. Because if you have an IPL team, the cricketers in the state will blossom. TCC should put pressure on the cricket authorities in the state to try and get an IPL team for Kerala."

Muralitharan was initially unaware of the connection between the movie and the ground after he inaugurated the Spin Foundation of the Tripunithura Cricket Club and spoke about the need for authorities to tap into the depth of talent available in the state.