- The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCC) is the richest cricketing board is stating the obvious. Why only in cricket parlance, the BCCI is one of the richest sporting bodies in the world is also stating the obvious. Such has been the spectacular success story of the BCCI in the sporting world that the entire universe views the entity as a benchmark in how to expand the reach of the sport and reap unprecedented revenue with smart strategies. Of course, for any sport to gain popularity means the unwavering support of the patrons perpetually flowing in. Here, the Indians have immensely contributed to the humongous popularity of cricket by substantiating cricket as no less than a religion in the country. We are aware of how mad Indians are about cricket.
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- The shortest format of the game in the form of T20 has gained tremendous traction around the world needs no further elaboration. The Indian Premier League (IPL) T20 tournament has set such a hallowed benchmark that it has become the most cash-rich and lucrative league in the entire sporting firmament over the last fifteen years. No wonder, every cricketer worth his salt would desperately wish to ply trade in the IPL not only because of the amount of money involved but also the exposure allowing to compete with the best in the business. The IPL has gained unimaginable popularity and following over the years allowing the BCCI and the franchisees leeway to splurge on the player with an obscene amount of cash. It’s headed northwards.
- Some of the Indian players being bought for an astonishing amount of money in the recently concluded auction would make anybody feel envious of cricketers. Players like Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer getting a tag above 27 crore and 26.75 crore is simply unbelievable. Even a relative newbie like Venkatesh Iyer commanding 23 crores is atrocious, to say the least. Yes, Rishabh Pant is an extraordinary talent is a known fact. Shreyas Iyer is an equally capable cricketer is proven beyond doubt. Nonetheless, a player of the capability of KL Rahul commanding a decent enough price but not anywhere near to the two mentioned above speaks volumes about how the franchisees view the emerging Indian talent. Therein lies the beauty of the T20 leagues.
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- Further, a few of the unheralded Indian cricketers have also gained prominence in the recently concluded auction. Undoubtedly, the attention being bestowed upon wannabe cricketers in the IPL augurs well for the future of the budding players, but the question remains as to what it would entail for the classic format of the game, Test cricket. Agreed, any professional cricketer should be earning decent enough money to sustain and lead a dignified life to take care of the necessities. However, what would be the shelf-life of such precocious talent in the slam-bang variety is open to debate. Nonetheless, every cricketer would be vociferous in proclaiming that Test cricket is the ultimate form. But will it sustain the onslaught from the mushrooming T20 leagues? Let’s hope.