‘Boards should stop their players going to the IPL’: Allan Border wants World T20 to take precedence

[MenInG]

Former Australian Test captain Allan Border has been a strong critic of franchise cricket. In his opinion a T20 league is nothing but a way fill pockets with hefty amount of money. Border had already backed the world games, the T20 World Cup, should be prioritised over leagues like IPL.

“I’m not happy with that. The world game should take precedence over local competition. So, the World T20, if that can’t go ahead, I don’t think the IPL can go ahead. I would question that decision it’s just a money grab, isn’t it, that one?” Border had told ABC.

“The World T20 should take precedence, for sure. The home boards should stop their players going to the IPL if that’s the case,” he added.

As the series down under is getting closer, Border, who is an ardent admirer of Virat Kohli, believes that the Indian skipper can keep the Test cricket, the true form of the game, alive.

“He [Kohli] is an antagonist and plays aggressively. It is up to players like Kohli and teams like India, England and Australia to keep Test cricket alive from the growing threat of franchise cricket,” Border said.

“We were hoping his baby would be born in Australia so that we can claim him or her to be an Australian!,” quipped the former Australian test captain.

The 65-year-old strongly believes that Kohli’s absence in the last three Tests will favour Australia’s chances of regaining the Border-Gavaskar trophy, which commences from 17 December in Adelaide.

“The one thing that is in Australia’s favour is Virat Kohli playing only the first Test. I think that is a big ‘out’ for India. He is irreplaceable at the moment as a batsman and a leader. Should be 2-1 to Australia,” Border said.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...mier-league/story-K1OStFvcy7GeU78YNhaG4O.html

 

[Rajdeep]

Not sure why has Border become such a whiner lately. He was a perfectly sensible guy before...lol.

“We were hoping his baby would be born in Australia so that we can claim him or her to be an Australian!,” quipped the former Australian test captain.


Very Smart :

 

[Hasan123]

I think if the boards could stop players going to the IPL they would have done it already.

 

[Rana]

I think if the boards could stop players going to the IPL they would have done it already.

They do it. Which non-retired international cricketers play IPL when their team is playing international cricket?

 

[MMHS]

They do it. Which non-retired international cricketers play IPL when their team is playing international cricket?

That’s a bit silly question me thinks - which international cricket takes place during IPL? Ok - there was PAK-ZIM series recently....

Border is raising a valid question, but I think the problem isn’t with the players, somewhere else that can’t be solved without a balanced cricket economy. It’s not ICC that gave IPL a window, rather ICC saved the cricket boards face by giving IPL a window - every board will loose money if they try to arrange international cricket during IPL and their star players opting out. 45 years back Cricket Australia (& WICB, PCB) had to compromise with Kerry Packer.... ICC this time has made it less shameful for every other boards.

 

[kingusama92]

They do it. Which non-retired international cricketers play IPL when their team is playing international cricket?

IPL has a separate window in the calendar so no one has to make that choice.

 

[kingusama92]

While purists have their opinions, it's important to note franchise cricket is thriving because of the underlying demand.

If people didn't like it, there wouldn't be an IPL or PSL.

Sponsors, broadcasters, fans (especially younger ones), and players all love the concept. Naturally, this means these leagues will get greater preference over the international formats.

It's unfortunate but they're running a business in the end.

If the boards tried strong-arming their stars, I'm certain a good chunk would retire and just play in the leagues.

 

[Rana]

That’s a bit silly question me thinks - which international cricket takes place during IPL? Ok - there was PAK-ZIM series recently....

Border is raising a valid question, but I think the problem isn’t with the players, somewhere else that can’t be solved without a balanced cricket economy. It’s not ICC that gave IPL a window, rather ICC saved the cricket boards face by giving IPL a window - every board will loose money if they try to arrange international cricket during IPL and their star players opting out. 45 years back Cricket Australia (& WICB, PCB) had to compromise with Kerry Packer.... ICC this time has made it less shameful for every other boards.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/sport/2019/aug/15/england-players-ipl-cricket

So they have not returned home in the past to play home fixtures you say?

 

[Hasan123]

They do it. Which non-retired international cricketers play IPL when their team is playing international cricket?

There is hardly any series during IPL season. Even if there is, a player usually plays a part in the IPL and then plays the international game.

I think Border is trying to say don't allow players to play in the whole IPL.

 

[Hitman]

Notice how it's always the ex players from the past who speak negatively about the IPL. Have you ever heard an active cricketer ever put the IPL down? I guess not.

 

[Caved12]

Totally agree with Border. I think he is thinking about the future of international cricket and probably does not like BCCI as a dictator board.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Boards could definitely do that but at the risk of more premature retirements as many players prefer easy bucks in T20 leagues which is ultimately beneficial for them and their families.

Ironically India is probably #1 among countries where players put a much higher value on representing the country rather than playing in T20 leagues but this sort of nationalistic mentality is largely missing in most countries.

T20 leagues have created a parallel cricketing world and economy and most boards would be wise to rather work with these leagues rather than against them.

Let's also respect that IPL is already doing the Cricketing world a huge favour by keeping itself to 2 months. It is inevitable for IPL to eventually expand to 15-20 teams league to ne played across 5-6 months. Cricket's ever growing talent pool and Indian cricket economy makes it feasible. If and when it does happen, what would be the future of bilateral international cricket anyway?

 

[hitthestump]

Notice how it's always the ex players from the past who speak negatively about the IPL. Have you ever heard an active cricketer ever put the IPL down? I guess not.

How many countries who benefit from Chinese money speak out against their harmful practices?

Obviously there's no real comparison between the two lol, but the principle with regards to boards chasing money at the detriment of everything else isn't far off here.

 

[hitthestump]

Notice how it's always the ex players from the past who speak negatively about the IPL. Have you ever heard an active cricketer ever put the IPL down? I guess not.

How many countries who benefit from Chinese or Saudi money speak out against their harmful practices?

Obviously there's no real comparison between the two lol, but the principle with regards to boards chasing money at the detriment of everything else isn't far off here.

 

[Caved12]

Boards could definitely do that but at the risk of more premature retirements as many players prefer easy bucks in T20 leagues which is ultimately beneficial for them and their families.

Ironically India is probably #1 among countries where players put a much higher value on representing the country rather than playing in T20 leagues but this sort of nationalistic mentality is largely missing in most countries.

T20 leagues have created a parallel cricketing world and economy and most boards would be wise to rather work with these leagues rather than against them.

Let's also respect that IPL is already doing the Cricketing world a huge favour by keeping itself to 2 months. It is inevitable for IPL to eventually expand to 15-20 teams league to ne played across 5-6 months. Cricket's ever growing talent pool and Indian cricket economy makes it feasible. If and when it does happen, what would be the future of bilateral international cricket anyway?

That will be the death of International cricket.

 

[Bhaijaan]

That will be the death of International cricket.

Exactly and hence why the needless antagonization?

BCCI has kept IPL very much in check so that it does not hurt international bilateral cricket to a much larger extent and that's something other boards must respect and they most definitely do. When legends like Border, Micha holding come up with this sort of rhetoric it only makes them seem oblivious to reality.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Lol some lollipop fans want to see IPL expand to 9 months and they think IPL can create international IPL superstars. Hold your lollipops and use your brain. This is not football. If there is no international cricket then from where will you get international superstars? Forget international teams IPL couldn't even give India players like peak Dhoni, Yuvi or Raina lol. These IPL only fans are no different than TikTok lovers.

 

[sharmaji]

As an Indian cricket fan, I enjoy both International cricket (all formats) and IPL. Both have their roles and are perfectly fine. I don't understand why there is any insecurity and hatred towards one or the other.

Sport itself has become such a rare commodity (for the sub-continent fans) thanks to corona and current culture that includes movies, tv shows, news (everything is political, opinionated, activism and agenda-driven) that sport is only avenue where performance (and not drama or feelings) is the only parameter measured. So let's just have more sports, be it International cricket, IPL, PSL, etc.

 

[Ashmal]

Exactly and hence why the needless antagonization?

BCCI has kept IPL very much in check so that it does not hurt international bilateral cricket to a much larger extent and that's something other boards must respect and they most definitely do. When legends like Border, Micha holding come up with this sort of rhetoric it only makes them seem oblivious to reality.

How do you see it in future with the BCCI wanting to expand IPL to about 12 teams and blocking 4 months of international cricket every year....do you still think it won't hurt international cricket much.

 

[cricketjoshila]

How do you see it in future with the BCCI wanting to expand IPL to about 12 teams and blocking 4 months of international cricket every year....do you still think it won't hurt international cricket much.

Any credible source with this claim of yours?

 

[Ashmal]

Ironically India is probably #1 among countries where players put a much higher value on representing the country rather than playing in T20 leagues but this sort of nationalistic mentality is largely missing in most countries.

Not too sure about that anymore.

Rohit Sharma is unfit to play for India in ODIs and T20s in Australia but miraculously becomes fit to play for Mumbai Indians in IPL playoffs and finals.

 

[Ashmal]

Any credible source with this claim of yours?

It's inevitable isn't it....anyways some media houses are reporting that 1-2 new teams may be added in next 2-3 years.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

It's inevitable isn't it....anyways some media houses are reporting that 1-2 new teams may be added in next 2-3 years.

It will go over his head. They are adding one more team. And will add more according to their die hard fans. That will automatically increase the duration of this pyjama league and will slowly start eating International Cricket Calendar like a termite. These guys don't have the brain to think too far ahead.

 

[cricketjoshila]

It's inevitable isn't it....anyways some media houses are reporting that 1-2 new teams may be added in next 2-3 years.

Yes 2 new teams will be added. Thats 10 teams not 12. Where is the 4 month window?

 

[Ashmal]

Yes 2 new teams will be added. Thats 10 teams not 12. Where is the 4 month window?

So you mean that addition of new teams won't change the duration of the tournament...I hope it doesn't.

That 12 teams and 4 month window comment was about long-term plans maybe in the next 5-10 years.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

On a second thought,

8 teams playing 2 matches against each amounts to 56 games,+4 knockouts=60 games,

Now 10 teams playing 2 matches against each other amounts to 90 games+4 knockouts=94

Isn’t it too much, or are they proposing a new structure for the league matches.
I think if 10 teams are playing then each team should play only one match against the other, which amounts to 45+4=49 games.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

Yes 2 new teams will be added. Thats 10 teams not 12. Where is the 4 month window?

Its impossible to follow the same league stage pattern without lengthening the duration(or risking injuries).
They will need atleast one more month which really sounds awful

 

[King_Kohli]

IPL should conduct once in 2 years or once in after 18 months.

 

[sharmaji]

I wouldn't like that. This is what I think: the status quo with 8 teams and 2 months seems perfect. Maybe they can increase the number of teams to 10 but they shouldn't increase the duration to more than 2 months. Too much of anything is bad. IPL is here to stay, and millions of people love it, so one can't wish it away, but it shouldn't encroach further into the international cricket. On the other hand, there are a lot of bilateral LOIs which are unnecessary and can be reduced.

So you mean that addition of new teams won't change the duration of the tournament...I hope it doesn't.

That 12 teams and 4 month window comment was about long-term plans maybe in the next 5-10 years.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

IPL should conduct once in 2 years or once in after 18 months.

Which world are you living in? Here fans want to see IPL twice in an year and you want IPL once in 2 years?

 

[Rajdeep]

IPL will surely have more games when new team(s) are added but the overall tournament wont extend in terms of no. of days. They will organize more 2 games per day to accomodate all the matches in stipulated timeline.

 

[JattMaula]

IPL should conduct once in 2 years or once in after 18 months.

Alternate year IPL sounds good.

One year to IPL and one to conduct an ICC tournament and its qualification and/or practice.

This way IPL gets 12 months to anything it wants.

 

[cricketjoshila]

So you mean that addition of new teams won't change the duration of the tournament...I hope it doesn't.

That 12 teams and 4 month window comment was about long-term plans maybe in the next 5-10 years.

Who made this long term plans? Not Bcci surely.

They have only talked about 1 or max 2 new teams.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Its impossible to follow the same league stage pattern without lengthening the duration(or risking injuries).
They will need atleast one more month which really sounds awful

More double headers. IPL will start in march last week and end in May last week. Thats their window. They will have to play whatever matches they want in that window.

 

[Saj]

I've said this before - it's all about money.

Many players will play in tournaments such as IPL ahead of international cricket as they will make more money from the IPL. In addition it's easy money, 40 over matches, every few days, bowling 4 overs, instead of what could be 5-day matches 450 overs and having to bowl 50 plus overs in a match.

 

[Robert]

AB is right - the national boards could do so, but it will lead to another Packer-style schism and dilute the quality of international matches.

 

[Ab Fan]

If Border was playing international cricket today and if he was good enough to fetch a decent amount of money from a franchise T20 league, he would have never said that.

At the end, it's the money and mullah which matters.

 

[Ab Fan]

On a second thought,

8 teams playing 2 matches against each amounts to 56 games,+4 knockouts=60 games,

Now 10 teams playing 2 matches against each other amounts to 90 games+4 knockouts=94

Isn’t it too much, or are they proposing a new structure for the league matches.
I think if 10 teams are playing then each team should play only one match against the other, which amounts to 45+4=49 games.

They should divide them into two groups with five teams and in every group they can play one game home and one game away.

So, in group A, total games will be 5*4= 20
In group B, again total games= 20 and then 4 knockouts. Total 44 games compared to 60 in previous years.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Best of luck playing 3 months of IPL again in UAE in March-May next year.

 

[U$ofA]

I have noticed with several anti T20 league people ( or should I say anti IPL), they want to use force to counter it and steer things the other way. They seem to dislike the free market. I guess AB is one of them.

Why not make your case for whatever that you believe/support, others get to make their case what they support and let the fans and market forces make the decision.

Freedom of choice rather than force, always.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

I have noticed with several anti T20 league people ( or should I say anti IPL), they want to use force to counter it and steer things the other way. They seem to dislike the free market. I guess AB is one of them.

Why not make your case for whatever that you believe/support, others get to make their case what they support and let the fans and market forces make the decision.

Freedom of choice rather than force, always.

See this is what happens when you follow too much of league cricket. Is it not clear to you that people don't want to see International Cricket die? Why don't you educate us about how your T20 leagues will survive without international cricket and superstars? You can see so many threads here comparing which league is better between IPL and PSL on the basis of how many and which international superstars play in it. Do you think they would have done so if IPL and PSL only had local players?

 

[sharmaji]

Because they can't accept that something other than their own opinion can also be valid and is popular with people. I see this everywhere, in sports, movies and entertainment, politics, religion. They just can't leave it to the markets (wisdom of free people).

I have noticed with several anti T20 league people ( or should I say anti IPL), they want to use force to counter it and steer things the other way. They seem to dislike the free market. I guess AB is one of them.

Why not make your case for whatever that you believe/support, others get to make their case what they support and let the fans and market forces make the decision.

Freedom of choice rather than force, always.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Because they can't accept that something other than their own opinion can also be valid and is popular with people. I see this everywhere, in sports, movies and entertainment, politics, religion. They just can't leave it to the markets (wisdom of free people).

Same logic applies to you people as well. Many people also like fast food, cold drinks but too much of it is not good for your health. Same way too much of league cricket will destroy this beautiful game of cricket. I can see you like league cricket so I hope your brain cells are still in good shape to understand this simple thing.

 

[sharmaji]

I like both league cricket and test cricket. I sometimes wake up at 4 am to watch NZ vs WI test match. Heck, I even watch county cricket. I just think that both test cricket and league cricket can co-exist and one doesn't need to be antagonistic to one format in order to appreciate the other.

There are always two schools of thought, one which wants to maintain status quo, conserve what is already in place, and the other side wants to change and introduce new ideas . Not saying one is better than the other, as I get older I am finding myself in the first category (conservative) in many aspects including cricket, but I am also consciously trying to listen to and consider new ideas and give them a shot before dismissing them cynically. Hence, I'm being open to league cricket gaining more prominence if that's what people like.

Too much of anything is bad, not just fast food and cold drinks. I have mentioned in my previous post that I believe that IPL should not increase its length to more than 2 months a year. I don't want more of league cricket but at the same time I will not disparage the format and people who enjoy it. Lastly, I do think my brain cells are in healthy and decent shape, thank you.

Same logic applies to you people as well. Many people also like fast food, cold drinks but too much of it is not good for your health. Same way too much of league cricket will destroy this beautiful game of cricket. I can see you like league cricket so I hope your brain cells are still in good shape to understand this simple thing.

 

[U$ofA]

See this is what happens when you follow too much of league cricket. Is it not clear to you that people don't want to see International Cricket die? Why don't you educate us about how your T20 leagues will survive without international cricket and superstars? You can see so many threads here comparing which league is better between IPL and PSL on the basis of how many and which international superstars play in it. Do you think they would have done so if IPL and PSL only had local players?

I agree with what you say. Too much of T20 league cricket could destroy international cricket which in turn would destroy T20 leagues. That's ok. It will be the market forces at work. The market forces will keep the sport thriving. It always does.

The way to keep international cricket alive and thriving is not to eliminate choices. But to make international cricket interesting and relevant. Let the fans have choices and let them make the choice.

Never eliminate choices. Free markets not force. The fans should make the choice.

 

[IMMY69]

No one ever addresses the elephant in the room...
I.e why aren't Indian players allowed to play in the other leagues?

 

[U$ofA]

No one ever addresses the elephant in the room...
I.e why aren't Indian players allowed to play in the other leagues?

This has come up before. The reasoning is, BCCI wants to protect/elevate the IPL brand. I guess set it apart from other leagues.

 

[Rajdeep]

No one ever addresses the elephant in the room...
I.e why aren't Indian players allowed to play in the other leagues?

Not good enough to be picked in any other leagues.