Gujarat Lions, the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise has been asked to pay Rs.3 Crore as entertainment tax as the department has issued a notice against the franchise for the two games which Gujarat-based franchise played at their second home ground at Kanpur.

The franchise which was formed last year ahead of IPL 9 has a tradition of playing five games at their home ground at Rajkot and rest of the two home games at their second home ground at Kanpur. This time, they played their two home games against Delhi Daredevils and Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 10 and 13 at Kanpur.

Earlier, the notice was sent to the state association as they were deemed as the assessee but the state association transferred the burden of tax on the franchise stating that it had declared UPCA as the second home ground and association has no role in conducting the games.

Hence, the tax notice was sent to the franchise, going by which they have been asked to pay a tax on 3 Crore as an entertainment tax.

Gujarat Lions had an abysmal IPL season as they finished the tournament as the seventh-placed team with just four wins in their account. The table toppers of last year’s tournament had a poor bowling line-up which was the main reason behind them failing to emulate their success. Just when the team showed form, they lost the services of their star bowler Andrew Tye, who was ruled out due to a dislocated shoulder. Later, Brendon McCullum and Nathu Singh were also ruled out due to respective injuries which had an impact on team’s performance.

With BCCI yet to come up with an official word regarding status Gujarat and Rising Pune Supergiant in IPL, it will be interesting to see whether the franchise owners bid for the team again.