It’s Getting Dangerous: To say that the IPL has revolutionized cricket in its history would be an understatement. IPL has changed life for many cricket players. It has given them a platform to showcase their talent and skills. It gave them the opportunity to not just make a name for the country but also for themselves.
Through IPL, many young and aspiring cricketers were able to fulfill their dreams. The love and support that fans gave to the T20 league made it the second most-valued sporting league in the world in terms of per-match value.
Not only in India, but IPL’s craze has spread globally with each passing day. But this power game by India has not been digested well by some renowned names in cricket.
Recently, a few IPL franchises bought all six teams in a soon-to-be-launched franchise league in South Africa. This attracted a lot of attention.
IPL franchises have always shown interest in other foreign leagues. KKR owns a team in the CBL as one in the upcoming UAE league.
Adam Gilchrist has raised a question against the growing dominance of IPL franchises. He stated that the current trend of “monopolization” by them is dangerous.
Reacting to the monopoly of IPL in world leagues, Adam Gilchrist, who had captained Punjab Kings and Deccan Chargers, raised concerns over the dominance of IPL in world cricket.
Gilchrist was worried about the reports that David Warner might skip BBL in a bid to play in the UAE.
Cricket Australia can keep Warner to themselves by not issuing a no-object certificate. But Gilchrist opined that their board should not force Warner to play in BBL. But he also added that the hold IPL franchises have in global leagues is dangerous.
“They can’t force David Warner to play in BBL, I understand that, but to let him then go off or another player, let’s not single out Warner because there will be other players on the radar it’s all part of this global dominance that these IPL franchises are starting to create given they own a number of teams in Caribbean Premier League,” Gilchrist told SEN’s Whateley radio show.
“It’s getting a little bit dangerous the grip that it’s having to monopolize that ownership and the ownership of the players and their talents and where they can and can’t play,” he added.
Gilchrist said that the grip of these franchises over the players is harmful to the game.
Gilchrist might be right in worrying about a potential path that Warner may lay for others. It allows others to follow to pick and choose the leagues they want to play. There is no restriction in this process even if one has to skip their own country’s league. But no one can change the fact that it is up to the players to decide where they want to play.
Accusing IPL franchises of growing their brand around the world is not how cricket boards should keep their players from dumping their own nation’s league. One has to work to become a household name in the sport.