Cricketing legend Sunil Gavaskar has taken a stern stance against overseas cricket boards and cricketers who are opting to cut short their Indian Premier League (IPL) commitments for international duty. The IPL 2024, which is edging towards its climax with the playoffs set for May 21, is experiencing the premature exit of several players bound to their national teams, eliciting strong remarks from the former Indian opener.
Within his Mid Day column, Gavaskar has articulated a firm viewpoint—that while players should prioritize national representation, their contractual agreements with IPL teams for a full-season commitment must be honored. Gavaskar’s comments come amid the England Cricket Board’s decision to recall their players for a series against Pakistan starting on May 22, just a day after the IPL playoffs get underway.
“I am all for players choosing country before anything else but having assured various franchises about their availability for the full season, if they pull out now, it will be letting down the franchises which probably pay them more money in one IPL season which they don’t earn in a few seasons with their country,” Gavaskar expressed, advocating for a substantial reduction in the players’ fees and questioning the 10% commission paid to their home boards by the franchises.
The crux of Gavaskar’s argument lies with the exceptional conditions surrounding the IPL that seem to benefits other cricket boards financially without reciprocation. He pointed out that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is unusual in its practice of paying commissions to other boards—a practice not observed in other global T20 leagues like Australia’s Big Bash, The Hundred in England, or the Caribbean Premier League.
“If the Board has gone back on its assurance they need to be penalized too. By the way, this 10 percent commission to the Boards happens only in the IPL and nowhere else. Does the BCCI get any thanks for its generosity? No way,” Gavaskar reiterated, underscoring the lack of gratitude towards the BCCI’s unique financial generosity.
In an announcement regarding their squad for the T20 World Cup, the ECB made it clear that their players participating in the IPL will be required to return for the series against Pakistan, thus affecting teams and fans who hoped to see their favorite English stars in IPL action till the end.
This is not an isolated incident, as players like Mustafizur Rahman of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Sikandar Raza of Punjab Kings (PBKS) have already left for national duties, mirroring the actions of their English counterparts. This wave of departures has caused a stir in cricketing circles and drawn attention to the intricacies of scheduling conflicts between national commitments and lucrative league engagements.
The debate boils down to balancing the duty towards one’s country against the contractual obligations assumed by players who participate in global T20 leagues, particularly the IPL, which offers immense exposure and financial reward. Gavaskar’s perspective offers a clear juxtaposition of loyalty versus contractuality, prompting a review of how cricket boards and players negotiate participation in such prestigious tournaments going forward.
In a rapidly changing cricket landscape, where T20 prominence and packed international schedules collide, these matters are likely to stir further discussion among administrators, players, and the cricketing fraternity. As IPL 2024 progresses towards its decisive moments without some of its stars, the absence of these players will injure not just the team dynamics but also the rich tapestry of the tournament itself as watched by millions of passionate fans across the globe.
