The IPL situation

Note: This is one of the rare posts that I had left as a draft after writing the first 2 points and than actually came back to finish it off. Started writing this before the IPL - got a bout of NED (No Enthu Da) - quit the post and now am continuing it again once the IPL has started. So the latter part of the post also has the benefit of hindsight.

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Lot of people have expressed their concern over IPL - ranging from resentment over India's growing and now evident power in World Cricket to IPL's effect on International matches and even the future of Test and ODI cricket and even the impact on the purity of the game.

Lets try and look at it point by point

1. India's Power in World Cricket

Thats just some countries being sore about India and the shift in balance of power from traditional English-Australia stronghold days. Lets face the fact - India is where this game has gargantuan proportions and tremendous fan following and the money. India will be powerful and should use some of that power. However to quote Spidey's Uncle - With great power comes great responsibility and BCCI will have to tread that line carefully. But the point is that the IPL for the first time has opened up the treasure box of cash not just for itself but also for the players. For the first time players are not being paid according to Board Policies or Prize Monies but according to their market value - and astronomical sums. I have for long argued that a cricketer has a limited shelf life - open to injuries ruining his career - and if he isnt articulate enough then a career in commentary is not open either. Hence it is only fair that the cricketer cashes in on every possible opportunity to earn and secure his future. Indian money now is directly flowing to good players of any caste creed or origin. A relatively unknown David Hussey also has the chance to make a killing here and from the players point of view - this has to be a good thing.
The biggest stakeholder however is the spectator - and he now gets the chance to watch the best players play against each other far more regularly. While it may lack the national rivalry flavour - soon enough we might find that we the spectators will rally behind some franchisee or the other. And this may not even be region based - but largely on the following that the players will command.

2. The International Matches

The IPL is a 45 day window with 8 teams. Teams will purchase players on the basis of their performance not only in the IPL which happens only once a year for a 45 day window but primarily on the basis of their performance on the biggest stage that is World Cricket. For any player to connect to the adoring masses who will eventually bankroll the entire IPL - that player needs to shine for the country at the International Level. Unless he does that he will not be able to command a price premium. Given the intensity with which players have been playing in the IPL - it does not at any point of time seem that they look upon this as a carnival (except ofcourse Graeme Smith's stumping off Pollock). It is serious intense cricket with both the foreign and local players giving it their all.

What this means is that International Cricket will not be devalued by IPL - infact the importance will increase tremendously. The ICC here has a huge role to play by actually trying to accomodate the IPL in its FTP calendar as without that the player will be forced to choose for those 45 days between money (really big money) and country. With the shortsightedness that most cricket boards carry - it can end up having serious consequences for the player. My hypothesis obviously is that if a player only plays 45 days of IPL and no international cricket (unless he is a retired star like Warne or McGrath) he will lose bargaining power with the IPL.


3. Devaluation of Test / ODI cricket

When ODI cricket came in - it was argued that Test Cricket would die a death. On the contrary ODI has made Test Cricket more interesting with the fast pace of scoring boiling down to more results and hence more interesting cricket. Test cricket will always have its own charm - the charm of seeing 7 players crowded around the bat with the bowler attacking with full steam is something that has its own joy. Or the excitement that a tense close draw can generate with the no.11 batsman looking to play out the last over of the day to earn a draw by the skin of their teeth is unmatched.

Similarly T20 is going to make ODI cricket a more exciting place. Last 10 overs 134 to chase is no longer going to be outside the realms of possibility. The fielding is only going to get better and running between the wickets is going to improve.

Also the good part is that most matches have seen clean hitting and not slogging - which is good for the game.

4. The Good Things

This is not a concern obviously. One thing that IPL will do is increase friendship and tolerance amongst players from different countries and that is one thing that cricket desperately needs. Also now player weaknesses are going to be out in the open - so that again will make cricket more interesting and put the onus on the player to perfect his game to the largest extent possible.


All in all - IPL can only mean good things for the game. Ofcourse it could have been done in better ways but that doesnt take anything away from it. Its an outstanding idea executed well and the BCCI and the players will earn some deserved moolah.