- By now it is evident that the India Premier League (IPL) T20 cricket is the world’s biggest money-spinner raking in unheard-of revenue for the organizers, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as well as the franchises and the players in the fray. The brand IPL is growing by the year is stating the obvious as the cash-rich premium cricket league attracts the best of the talents from across the cricket playing nations. Actively participating in the league has become an accepted norm right from the marquee international players to rookie budding players trying to establish their footholds on the cricketing firmament.
PC: Vajiramias
- With the addition of two new franchises, the IPL stakes are bound to scale newer heights bringing an equal amount of entertainment quotient to the die-hard fans. As the shorter format of cricket perennially evolves, the teams are on the lookout to consolidate their standing and worth by recruiting identified players for the next few years. The recently concluded auction for the players showed how teams have earmarked their respective strategies. The focus and emphasis were largely placed on a mixture of proven and experienced cricketers as well as the fast-emerging youngsters but untested at this level.
- Nonetheless, there is no denying that the IPL 2022 auction provided cricket fans with a peek into the future of the game. The auction also presented a barometer of rising stars and declining stalwarts, shaping the direction in which the game evolves. As witnessed, the auction this time saw franchises go for certain youngsters even at the cost of letting go few established players. Some proven cricketers with years of cricket behind them like Suresh Raina, Steven Smith, Eoin Morgan, Ishant Sharma, and Piyush Chawla had no takers. On the other hand, a youngster like Ishan Kishan was bought by Mumbai Indians by splurging a whopping Rs. 15.25 crores, the most expensive buy of the auction.
PC: THE QUINT
- Also noticeable was the interest expressed in players from India’s recent U-19 World Cup-winning team. Young all-rounder Raj Angad Bawa was picked up by Punjab Kings by shelling out Rs. 2 crores. Another U-19 star, all-rounder Rajvardhan Hanagargekar was picked up by the Chennai Super Kings for Rs. 1.5 crore, while U-19 winning captain Yash Dhull went to Delhi Capitals for Rs. 50 lakhs. Interestingly, a free agent from Singapore who plies his trade across the leagues like Tim David was bought by Mumbai Indians. Surprisingly, someone of the stature of David Warner was bought for almost half his previous value amply shows that franchises had their eyes firmly on the future and hence, ruthlessly went by the current form of the players.
- Most hearteningly, there exists a big demand for Indian domestic talent that is still outstripping supply despite having several levels of cricketing competitions. This situation comes even after cricket’s popularity in the country has gone beyond stratospheric heights as more and more youngsters take to the game as a duck takes to the water. Of course, it is all about economics as big money will ensure the supply side of the matter is addressed more than adequately in the coming days. Good tides for cricket for sure! Fans will not complain, though!
