Is IPL Money changing World Cricket?
Is IPL Money changing World Cricket? The great Gideon Haigh once asked ” Does Cricket make money to exist? Or does it make stacks fat on stacks and stacks?”
All people these days are after money and it’s always associated with the IPL. When you talk about IPL, you talk about Money, talent, and glamor. If we talk about Cricket, Money is squeezing the test schedule and giving power to franchise owners. The power shift from test legends to T20 hard hitters can be seen in T20 leagues. Moreover, the threat of match-fixing brings down the whole thing.
IPL is the biggest Cricket league in the world in terms of money, talent, advertisements, glamor, fans, viewership, sponsors, and much more. Consequently, they bring a lot of money for India, teams, players, and sponsors on board.
Recently, IPL owners brought teams to the South Africa cricket league and UAE league. Last month, when announcing teams, logos, and names, they were IPL-flying the tournaments. The IPL Franchise owners have extended their club with South Africa T20 League and UAE leagues.
Mumbai Indians brought the Cape Town team while Chennai Super kings brought Johnsburg. They named teams MI Cape Town and Johnsburg Super Kings. The league is a somewhat extended version of IPL, it will have an IPL style auction. The teams will have 4 foreign Players like IPL in playing XI.
As per the scheduled time is concerned, it will try to serve the Indian market. The country where human rights activists have to fight for the rights of Indians not long ago. The companies that are responsible for air pollution will be seen advertising air purifiers.
More Cricketers are retiring from an International career
Cricketers with a central contract with their respective teams do not have time to play for many leagues. This often restricts them to play in private leagues and earn more money. If you go by the trends in recent years, playing all formats for the country and private leagues takes a toll on Cricketers.
So many Cricketers are seen retiring from international cricket. Many are seen retiring from certain formats they play for the country.
Recently, Eoin Morgan Took retirement from international cricket despite winning ODI world Cup as captain a few years ago. This year, Ben Stokes retired from T20 Cricket in international matches for the country. Chris Gayle took international retirement but plays for private leagues.
DJ Bravo, and Faf Duplessis, are some examples of cricketers playing private leagues but restricted to international matches. However, not all players retired due to money. Some were finding it difficult to include so much in 1 calendar year while some were facing issues with the country board.
T20 and rivalries
Cricket has some rivalries that bring a lot of money for sponsors. Such as the iconic India and Pakistan Rivalry. Ashes rivalry and Nagin dance rivalry of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. All these contribute to money in the game and bring stardom.
This rise in earnings in Cricket by sponsors and franchise owners gives them power. With so much power of money, the decisions about the play are taking place.
This has reduced Test Cricket and ODI to some extent. To keep test Cricket intact, ICC started the Test Championship. In the final of the inaugural test Championship held between India and New Zealand, New Zealand won the championship.
All in all, money is playing a crucial role in Cricket. IPLis dominating in all the leagues making it bigger every year in terms of money and popularity.