The Indian Premier League is certainly one of the biggest sporting events of the world and in the last 15 years, the franchises have also learned the art of efficiently managing the teams and how to run business in the best possible manner. Now they are using their knowledge and skills in an optimum manner by buying teams in league contests of other nations but recently something happened which has made some former foreign cricketers a little worried.
South Africa is starting its own franchise league and to everyone’s surprise, all the six teams of the contest are owned by the IPL franchises; this is a sign of India’s expansion and dominance in the global cricket world. Three IPL teams (Kolkata, Rajasthan and Punjab) also own franchises in Caribbean Premier League and KKR also owns a team in USA’s T20 League.
Recently, there have been some reports that the Australian cricketer David Warner will opt out of his own country’s Big Bash League in order to play for more attractive T20 League in UAE. The former legendary Aussie wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist opened up on this matter in a radio show. He says that nobody can force David Warner to play in BBL against his wishes but it’s not just Warner, there may be some more players and all this is just a part of global dominance which is being created by the IPL franchises considering the fact that they own a good number of teams in Caribbean Premier League. The former Aussie cricketer issues a warning as he says that it is getting a little risky as these franchises may use this power in order to monopolise not just the ownership but talent of the cricketers as well and may also decide where they will play and where they won’t.
Adam Gilchrist further says that the Cricket Australia should give proper attention to this matter before other players also take the path of David Warner. Gilly further says that David Warner can’t be blamed if he decides to say goodbye to the Australian cricket and chooses to play for any Indian franchise because it is his decision and he has worked hard to get that profile and market value as well but the situation will get challenging when youngsters will also start making the same noise.
Adam Gilchrist has played in the IPL for Deccan Chargers (now defunct) and Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), he was the skipper of DC when it won its maiden IPL title. While Gilly has played 80 matches in the IPL, he has represented his country in 96 test matches, 287 ODIs and 13 T20Is.
Is Adam Gilchrist overreacting or is he saying the correct thing? Do let us know your opinion in this regard.