Aakash Chopra believes none of the other T20 leagues in the world can compete with the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Ramiz Raja recently highlighted the importance of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for their nation’s cricket economy. He even opined that overseas players might choose the PSL over the IPL if the league goes for an auction instead of the draft process it currently follows.
Aakash Chopra: None Of The Other Leagues Can Compete With IPL’s Financial Might
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra presented a contrary view to that of Ramiz Raja.
He observed: “Even if you do an auction instead of drafts, it is not going to happen, you will not see a player playing for 16 crores in the PSL. It cannot happen at all, market dynamics are not going to allow that to happen, it’s as simple as that.”
The former India cricketer asserted that none of the other leagues can come close to the financial might of the IPL. In the previous year’s auction, Rajasthan Royals had bought South Africa’s Chris Morris for ₹16 crore.
Aakash Chopra elaborated: “To be very honest, Chris Morris’ one ball, when he played last time, was more expensive than the players’ salary in other leagues. Is it even possible to compete or compare yourself with the IPL, whether it is PSL, BBL, The Hundred or the CPL? Is it a slightly misplaced judgment?”
Aakash Chopra added that it is a fallacy that IPL’s financial clout is because it is the only league where Indian players ply their trade. He pointed out that the other leagues would not become as lucrative even if the likes of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were allowed to play in them.
Earlier this week, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja said that he was keen on bringing a major revamp to the Pakistan Super League (PSL), the premier T20 league of the country. Ramiz Raja said that it is time to “elevate the concept” of the PSL, and introduce an auction in the league instead of a draft system. The PCB chairman further said that PSL can come in the bracket of IPL.
Aakash Chopra Reckons Indian Fans Reason Behind IPL’s Brand Value
Aakash Chopra highlighted that the value of a league is governed by multiple factors.
He explained: “The price is decided based on how much money you get from the rights, at what price the teams are sold and then there is a total purse according to which you play. All these are interlinked, they are not separate. If someone sees them separately, he is going to get defeated.”
The reputed commentator pointed out that India’s vast cricket-loving population is the reason behind the IPL’s brand value.
Aakash Chopra stated: “The story starts with the broadcaster on what value it puts on a property. The biggest thing India has is the people who watch, they are the ones who pay a lot of money, our 130 crores public. That is the asset we have that nobody else has.”
Aakash Chopra concluded by reiterating that a draft or an auction does not make a difference at all and that no one can compete with the IPL. The 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League will begin on March 26, when MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings meet the Shreyas Iyer-led Kolkata Knight Riders in Mumbai. The 15th edition of the league sees the arrival of two new franchises to the tournament; Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans.