Former Union Minister Shashi Tharoor [ Images ] is hoping that the Kochi IPL team will be able to compete in the fourth edition, following the BCCI's decision to postpone a final decision on its fate to December 5.

"I think the team will become a reality as BCCI's decision holds some hope to save it," the Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram said.

Tharoor, who had to resign as Minister of State for External Affairs a year back amid controversies over his role as 'mentor' of the Kochi team, said if the team would do good for cricket in Kerala [ Images ] in particular and sporting activities in general.

At a meeting of IPL's Governing Council on Sunday in Nagpur, BCCI put off the decision on the franchise for a third time after expiry of a month-long deadline given to it for sorting out its internal bickering over shareholding.

BCCI President Shashank Manohar [ Images ] said the board would take a decision on December 5.

Kochi was on the verge of being thrown out of IPL due to shareholding dispute between the consortium's investors. But the franchise owners reached a compromise on Saturday.