Delhi Capitals Co-Owners in Advanced Talks to Relaunch Jamaica Tallawahs in CPL

The GMR Group, co-owners of the IPL franchise Delhi Capitals, is in advanced discussions to revive the Jamaica Tallawahs in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). If successful, the move would mark the return of one of the CPL’s founding franchises after a two-year absence.

GMR, a prominent Indian infrastructure conglomerate, has steadily grown its global presence in cricket. Beyond the IPL, it operates the Dubai Capitals in the ILT20, Seattle Orcas in Major League Cricket, and is involved with Hampshire in English county cricket and Southern Brave in The Hundred. It also holds ownership in Indian leagues for kabaddi and kho kho.

The Jamaica Tallawahs, three-time CPL champions, have not participated in the league since 2022. The franchise was sold back to the league in 2023 by its then-owner Kris Persaud, who went on to launch the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons. At the time, Persaud cited a lack of support from the Jamaican government as a key factor in the Tallawahs' exit from the league.

However, signs of a potential revival have emerged. Prior to this month’s national elections, which were won by the incumbent Labour Party, Jamaica’s sports and tourism ministry announced it was "finalising arrangements" for the return of a CPL franchise to the island. The statement followed fresh investment into cricket facilities at Sabina Park.

Sources have told ESPNcricinfo that GMR representatives were present at Sunday’s CPL final and are now viewed as frontrunners to take over the Jamaica-based franchise. If the Tallawahs are reinstated, they would become the seventh team in the league, leading to an expanded fixture list.

Pete Russell, Chief Executive of the CPL, expressed optimism earlier this month. “We are very excited at the prospect of a return to Jamaica,” he said. “Our discussions with the government have been fruitful and engaging. We are hopeful that these negotiations will reach a positive conclusion in the coming months.”

The GMR Group has not yet commented publicly on the ongoing talks.