Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab have been thrown out of the Indian Premier League over ownership issues, tournament organisers said on Sunday.

The governing council of the cash-rich Twenty20 event, owned by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), also issued notices to the new Kochi franchise to resolve their ownership disputes.

"The governing council of the IPL met today to discuss and decide on the breaches committed by three of the franchisees, Punjab, Rajasthan and Kochi," the BCCI said in a statement.

"It was unanimously decided that franchise agreements with Punjab and Rajasthan be terminated forthwith based on legal opinions obtained by the BCCI in the matters.

"It was further unanimously decided to issue a notice to Kochi calling upon them to resolve all their disputes and form a joint venture company which will hold the IPL franchise rights."

http://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/rajasthan-royals-and-kings-xi-punjab-thrown-out-of-indian-premier-league-over-ownership-issues/story-e6frf3g3-1225936840013

Just further evidence the Big Bash is the best domestic T20 competition in the world. Will be interesting to see what happens with the IPL from this stage onwards and whether more teams are axed. I guess a number of players from Kings XI and the Royals will be picked up by the two new franchises.

Don't really watch IPL anyway. Only reason I ever watch it is because a player like Warne or Gilchrist is playing