IPL's global dominance in T20 franchise cricket is dangerous, says Adam Gilchrist

[MenInG]

July 27 (Reuters) - Former Australia captain Adam Gilchrist on Wednesday voiced concerns over the Indian Premier League's (IPL) expanding global footprint, saying the cash-rich league's efforts to monopolise T20 franchise cricket are becoming "a little bit dangerous."

Gilchrist's comments came in the wake of reports in Australian media saying batter David Warner will skip Australia's Big Bash League (BBL) this season to participate in a new league in the United Arab Emirates, backed by IPL money.

Warner plays for IPL side Delhi Capitals, owned by India's GMR Group, which owns a team in the Emirati league. The new tournament's schedule is set to clash with the BBL's, which runs from December to early-February 2023.

IPL team owners have also bought all six franchises of South Africa's new domestic T20 league, while three IPL franchise owners -- of Kolkata, Rajasthan and Punjab -- own teams in the Caribbean Premier League.

"I think it would almost be commercial suicide for (Cricket Australia) to allow a player like him (Warner) to go head-to-head up against their own competition," Gilchrist told Australia's SEN Radio.

"They can't force David Warner to play in the BBL... 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.

"... It's getting a little bit dangerous the grip that it's having to monopolise that ownership and the ownership of the players and their talents and where they can and can't play."

Gilchrist said that veteran Warner's commitment to Australian cricket could not be questioned, but added that younger players could follow in his footsteps.

"If he rides off into the sunset and says, 'Sorry Australian cricket, I'm going to become a gun for hire for my Indian franchise team in various tournaments', you can't question him on that," Gilchrist said.

"That's his prerogative and he's done everything he needs to get the profile and get that market value. It's the new younger player coming in that starts to make those noises where it'll be really challenging."

The IPL did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.

https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/s...icket-is-dangerous-says-gilchrist-2022-07-27/

 

[sweep_shot]

It is indeed concerning. IPL, other T20 leagues, and T20 format in general have taken over cricket.

 

[Rana]

Nothing will change

Ganguly is likely to become the next ICC chief and he will give IPL an 11 month window

 

[Bewal Express]

There is nothing anyone can do about it. Those of that love International cricket will continue to watch International cricket but cricket has changed and you have to accept it.

 

[Fenrir]

Let us scap tests and ODIs,just play T20 matches in bilateral and franchise competitions.

 

[introvert]

It is going to happen anyways if the t20 leagues grow in number of matches and successfully take over international cricket in their respective market and become first choice for cricket viewers like current situation in football where club football is ruling since years.

If Warner or any other Australian player chooses to play in uae t20 league/csa t20 league over BBL then it's a big problem for cricket Australia. They must regulate and add clause in their Central contract to not allow contracted players to take part in t20 leagues that runs parallel to BBL.

If a player is willing to let go his Central contract for t20 leagues then it's fair choice imo but it is highly unlikely to happen with test players.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Well IPL owners are not shelling out millions for nothing. If BBL is privatised, they will probably buy teams there as well.

Will Gilly complain then?

 

[JaDed]

Probably is but that’s how Capitalism works.. which BCCI didn’t invent.

Gilly is among my fav players (always will be) but has he wondered why Aus is cashing money by selling their rights for Indian audiences as well?

 

[Saj]

I mentioned this in another thread, there will come a time where some players will put domestic T20 teams ahead of their country.

In fact that time is probably very very close.

 

[sweep_shot]

I mentioned this in another thread, there will come a time where some players will put domestic T20 teams ahead of their country.

In fact that time is probably very very close.

It has already happened with some players.

Kiwi pacer Mitchell Mcclenaghan was one. Luke Ronchi was another.

 

[Mp812]

Years ago when odi cricket and colored clothing was introduced it was crticised in a smilar manner and they said itll destroy cricket and all that and called it pyjama cricket and what not. I guess ipl and t20 leagues are facing same phase today where maby purists tey to portray how evil it is and will destroy cricket as such. Ironically just like odi cricket made cricket financially strong in 80s 90s ...in a similar manner t20 leagues are doing same and helping test and odi cricket survive

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

It is going to happen anyways if the t20 leagues grow in number of matches and successfully take over international cricket in their respective market and become first choice for cricket viewers like current situation in football where club football is ruling since years.

If Warner or any other Australian player chooses to play in uae t20 league/csa t20 league over BBL then it's a big problem for cricket Australia. They must regulate and add clause in their Central contract to not allow contracted players to take part in t20 leagues that runs parallel to BBL.

If a player is willing to let go his Central contract for t20 leagues then it's fair choice imo but it is highly unlikely to happen with test players.

Cricket Australia cannot put such a thing in the contract because I think that would be illegal as per Fair Works Commission of Australia.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Cricket Is changing. Only thing that is constant is change.
The oldies are just sticking to their traditional idea of cricket but not for long.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Probably is but that’s how Capitalism works.. which BCCI didn’t invent.

Gilly is among my fav players (always will be) but has he wondered why Aus is cashing money by selling their rights for Indian audiences as well?

He himself cashed in on IPL. But I get where he is coming from he is wondering how BBL can be protected and made better.

 

[akbarm96]

Gilly is actually somewhat right... looking at the team ownerships in UAE T20 League and SA T20 League, it just looks like league cricket is somewhat monopolized in every way... all teams in these leagues are owned by team owners in IPL... For cricket board, yay it's profit but in reality it's just destroying cricket that's all..

 

[akbarm96]

Cricket Is changing. Only thing that is constant is change.
The oldies are just sticking to their traditional idea of cricket but not for long.

Monopoly of T20 Leagues are a serious problem though..

 

[BunnyRabbit]

CA dug out a hole for themselves in this regard. First they made BBL into 2-3 month tournament that would go side by side with their international fixtures. Then they would let their big guns opt out of their own premier t20 tournament. It was always going to be matter of when and not if that players would start choosing other t20 tournaments over their own. David Warner was a poster boy for that. They let it get out of hands easily.

Choosing to go totally freelance is another thing that was started by Chris Lynn in Australia who opted for a high paying t20 career instead of a potential career in green baggy.

Michael Clarke was a widely hated figure in Australian cricket for his opinions regarding the franchise cricket and is now proving there was merit in his views.

 

[Cricfan4eva]

I see a lot people writing "Cricket is being destroyed", but none of them explain how.. strange.

 

[JaDed]

Monopoly of T20 Leagues are a serious problem though..

So what should they do? Bar IPL owners from owning other teams when India might end up viewing such leagues the most?

 

[introvert]

They need to break the synergy between the leagues though.

IPL Franchisies who bought teams in UAE t20 league or csa t20 league shouldn't get their respective players from the ipl out of draft or retention choice.

Player signing must be fair and through draft or auction where every team have equal chance to sign desired players irrespective of their contract in IPL.

 

[introvert]

t20 mercenaries can now start their year with playing in either of bbl/csa t20/UAE t20 in December to january > move to play psl in February > play IPL in march-June > Have a break in July > play in the hundred in August > finish the year with cpl in September.

 

[MenInG]

Wicket-keeping legend Adam Gilchrist on Thursday said he wants the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to allow the Indian cricketers to take part in T20 leagues outside the country. The BCCI, presently, does not allow the Indian players to participate in overseas T20 leagues like Australia's Big Bash League to maintain exclusivity of IPL. "It will be wonderful (if the Indian players are allowed to play in overseas T20 leagues), I personally feel that it won't diminish the IPL, it will only grow them as a brand. If they (Indian players) can play in Australia or South Africa," Gilchrist told reporters.

"But the challenge is we are all playing our domestic seasons at the same time, so that is a hard thing, isn't it?," he added.

Gilchrist's suggestion came a day after he questioned the growing dominance of the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises in world cricket.

However, the three-time World Cup winner maintained he was not against the most world's most popular T20 league.

"I'm not criticising the IPL, but why won't Indian players come and play in the Big Bash league? I've never had an open and honest answer: Why are some leagues accessing every player in the world? No Indian player plays in any other T20 league. I am not saying in a provocative sense, but is that a fair question?" he asked.

"I really want to highlight (that the) six seasons (I played in the IPL) I loved it. It was a great experience. It is the premier T20 competition in the world, but it is important to allow other boards and countries to prosper as well," he added.

Need to be patient with Rishabh Pant

Gilchrist once again praised India's swashbuckling wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant and urged the Indian board to be patient with him when things go awry.

"He (Pant) is one of the most exciting cricketers to watch, I think he just lights up a stage, and makes an electric atmosphere when he is playing, that is wonderful," Gilchrist said.

"The BCCI, the management and the selectors will just need to be patient with him. A few innings if he doesn't score they shouldn't be too harsh on him, because you don't want to suppress the natural flair," he added.

NDTV

 

[AMSS]

IPL != IPL franchise owners.

IPL is a BCCI product, conceived and owned by them. The franchise owners are stakeholders but they are not integral to the product. They can be terminated and BCCI can find new owners or simply choose a model different from the current one.

I do not think BCCI is too pleased with IPL franchise owners expanding their footprints. The moment they feel it compromises IPL's brand equity, they'll bring down the hammer.

Gilchrist's take is horribly uninformed and mangled in light of above. He doesn't realize that IPL franchise who are buying teams in random leagues around the world agree with his view that Indian players should play in overseas leagues where they own teams.

 

[Savak]

The PCB should be very fearful. The UAE T20 league, SA T20 League and Big Bash, BPL are now very close to clashing with the PSL.

The UAE T20 League is going to offer a max salary of $450,000. Big Bash offers a max of $258,000.

The PSL right now is offering a max of $175,000 and the PCB is further handicapped with security fears, lack of recreational options for western players in Pakistan vs the the UAE, South Africa and Australia.

Sadly the PCB and PSL is further handicapped by being part of a detiorating economy therefore I don't see the PCB and the PSL owners, sponsors being able to inject much liquidity

The only option is for the PCB is to find another window where the competition against the leagues is less ie June to October slot.

 

[shariqnoor]

PSL would probably be finished in 5 years time. Cricket will become like the football leagues. 20 teams playing each other on a home and away basis for 10 months of the year. India, England, Australia, UAE to be the Big 4 leagues. The problem with PSL is that the country doesn't have any money to dole out to players. Also no foreigner would want to stay in Pakistan for 10 months with no recreational activity. I fail to see how PSL an survive if privatized T20 leagues become mainstream.