While many governing cricket bodies are now allowing their players to participate in the foreign leagues, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is still not allowing their players to participate in the foreign leagues. Recently, the veteran Indian cricketers Suresh Raina and Irfan Pathan have raised their voices to support the foreign leagues for the Indian cricketers. However, a BCCI official has clarified the reason why they are not allowing the Indian cricketers to participate in the foreign leagues.
The cricket leagues are growing up in the world with the time progress, while the Indian Premier League (IPL) is still dominating among the global franchise leagues as the cricketers still feel attractive on this cash-rich league. While the Indian players freely participate in the IPL along with the top overseas cricketers, they can’t participate in the foreign leagues.
Recently, the all-rounder Yuvraj Singh participated in the Global T20 Canada 2019 after announcing his retirement from international cricket.
Exclusivity is the key: BCCI official
While Suresh Raina and Irfan Pathan have recently supported the presence of the Indian cricketers in the foreign leagues, a BCCI official has clarified the reason for their present status as he pointed out the exclusivity.
The official told IANS, “One usually finds these views emanating from those who can see the wall of retirement approaching and it’s only natural. That’s their view. It’s the luxury of having the freedom of a tunnel vision with a view to further their own interests and that’s absolutely fine.
“From the point of view of the board and the interests of Indian cricket, the intent is to ensure a system where the non-contracted players are able to command good value at the IPL auction. Exclusivity is the key.”
The IPL franchises are now looking to invest in the foreign leagues. In the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) franchises are holding the franchise right of the Trinbago Knight Riders while the parent company of the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) are holding the franchise right of the St Lucia Zouks. Recently, the KKR franchises have also reportedly shown their keen interest to invest in the “The Hundred”.
However, the BCCI official has claimed that they are now thinking to put the restriction on the IPL franchises for investing in the foreign leagues to boost the Indian economy in this crisis.
The official added, “The time has instead arrived where investment in foreign leagues by those who have a stake in the IPL would have to be restricted as that flies in the face of the principles of conflict propounded by the Apex Court and in these circumstances every bit of Indian money is required to boost the Indian economy rather than boosting foreign economies.”
In the recent Instagram live video chat, Raina said that the BCCI should allow the Indian cricketers to participate in the two foreign leagues. Meanwhile, Irfan has suggested allowing the 30+ aged cricketers for the foreign leagues, who are not in the radar of Indian team selections.