T20 Cricket

Lalit Modi would not have thought that his child venture called the IPL might have reached such heights that it would get replicated by the boards of other nations as well.

It is quite true that seeing the positive effects of the IPL, boards of Sri Lanka as well as Australia, have plans of inaugurating a domestic T20 tournament in their respective countries. The tournament in Sri Lanka would be unleashed in July, whereas the tournament in Australia is going to be played from mid-December to end of January.

The tournament that is to be organised by the Sri Lankan board in July-August this year, is supposed to have the support of the Indian Board. Many Indian players have been approached with the offer of joining the league, which does not offer as high a fee as does IPL. It is reported that the salaries would be segregated into three slabs of which the highest will be of $30,000[About 13, 50,000 INR].

There has been no doubt that a tournament like IPL has had a catapulting effect on Indian cricket, by the way it has helped to nurture young players. It has also helped to bring various players from around the world to play on a single stage. Further it has allowed various players to think rationally about their future in International cricket, as the cash-rich tournament provides fat salaries. 

Thus, if the boards of other nations do nurture their own tournaments, it would definitely be in the interest of their nation. However, these tournaments will definitely raise certain issues for the Indian board which the latter will have to address as soon as possible. The very first issue is that whether the Indian players will be allowed to participate in the tournament, in case the team has a series co-inciding with the schedule of the tournament?

Probably the answer to this question was answered just a few days back by BCCI Chief Administrative Officer Mr. Ratnakar Shetty, who said that Indian players would not be getting permission to play in the “Big Bash”, which is the name of the Australian counterpart of the IPL.

He said, “Last year some teams wanted Indian players and they were not available because of the domestic tournament.”

Although India are scheduled to play an ODI tournament in Australia in January next year, and playing the tournament would perhaps be in the interest of the players. However Mr. Shetty said, “It’s a policy decision of the Board, the new coach has nothing to do with that, and when there is a domestic tournament on I don’t think we will release any players.”

Probably the Indian board may not have realised that there are about 35 Australian players playing in the IPL , including the retired players.

Tags: Australia, BCCI, Big Bash, Indian Board, IPL, Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Premier League, T20 Tournaments