The Indian Premier League is set to build upon its successful launch and, in the words of its chairman and mentor, Lalit Modi, has "become very profitable".
However, if rumours concerning one of the teams in the Indian press are to be believed, all is not well for some of the teams.
The owners of Deccan Chargers, Deccan Chronicle Holdings and M Group, the team which finished bottom of the table despite signing big names like Australia's Andrew Symonds and Adam Gilchrist, Shahid Afridi, of Pakistan, and the South African batsman Herschelle Gibbs, are believed to be planning to offload all or part of their franchise. The Chargers English chief executive officer Tim Wright said: "It is hard to tell about the near future but as far as we are concerned, it is idle speculation.
"We are looking forward to another season of the IPL."
Symonds was the second most expensive player "bought" behind MS Dhoni in terms of money at the auction ahead of the IPL's launch in April.
The Chargers spent $1.35 million (Dh5m) on the Australian all-rounder alone. The Chargers are valued at $200m that includes the franchisee fee of $107m.
However, each franchise received a share of the central revenue from the selling of television rights which amounted to $45 million for the first year.
The numbers would get revised after the IPL decided to increase the number of teams from next year but also gave more branding and advertising opportunities to the franchises, with the possibility of one being based at the new Dubai Sports City.
The poor showing from the Chargers prompted some finger-pointing and friction among the players, especially Afridi and captain VVS Laxman.
Meanwhile, Modi said the IPL governing council had not heard of the move as yet but confirmed any franchisee had the liberty to go public or sell their stake.
@Email:kshyam@thenational.ae
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
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%3Cp%3EEngine%3A%203-litre%20V6%20turbo%20(standard%20model%2C%20E-hybrid)%3B%204-litre%20V8%20biturbo%20(S)%0D%3Cbr%3EPower%3A%20350hp%20(standard)%3B%20463hp%20(E-hybrid)%3B%20467hp%20(S)%0D%3Cbr%3ETorque%3A%20500Nm%20(standard)%3B%20650Nm%20(E-hybrid)%3B%20600Nm%20(S)%0D%0D%3Cbr%3EPrice%3A%20From%20Dh368%2C500%0D%3Cbr%3EOn%20sale%3A%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Asia Cup 2018 Qualifier
Sunday's results:
- UAE beat Malaysia by eight wickets
- Nepal beat Singapore by four wickets
- Oman v Hong Kong, no result
Tuesday fixtures:
- Malaysia v Singapore
- UAE v Oman
- Nepal v Hong Kong
