By IANS
London : Players from around the world would gain in many ways from the official Indian Premier League (IPL) as it will bring to them unimagined riches, like introducing their personal sponsors to India, says former Australia leg-spinner Shane Warne.
“I think this is an incredible time for world, as well as Indian, cricket. The IPL and the [breakaway] Indian Cricket League (ICL) are not only good for the players, but for the spectators at the grounds and watching on television. Once Twenty20 takes off over there – which I am sure it will – the atmosphere will be amazing,” Warne wrote in his column in The Times here.
“Some players may miss the start of the county season in England. That is a shame, but the benefits that could arise are huge. Who knows what other opportunities in business may crop up through contact with people behind the franchises? For example, I would like to help to take Advanced Hair Studios into India and this may be a way in,” he said.
Warne, the second highest Test wicket taker with 708, has pledged his association with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)-floated IPL, the first edition of which will start in mid-April in India.
“The new leagues in India are providing tremendous opportunities for players and giving cricket more exposure in its biggest marketplace,” he said.
Warne, who along with the other participating players will be auctioned soon, felt even the English countries would gain from the cash rich IPL.
“Counties stand to benefit from the IPL because the finalists of the Twenty20 in England will be able to compete in the Champions League-style event due to go ahead in the autumn. The prize-money on offer there will be many times greater than anything in the domestic competitions,” he wrote.
“Some of the figures being mentioned are mind-boggling. The television deal for the IPL is worth more than $1billion (about £500million) over 10 years. And the winners of the competition in May stand to win $2million – double the amount Australia took in prize-money for winning the World Cup last year.”
Warne, who has captured 293 wickets in 194 One-Day Internationals, also backed the Subhash Chandra-promoted ICL and those playing in it. Participation in IPL invites instantly bans all players from all official domestic and international tournaments.
“I think of the IPL and ICL together in promoting and expanding the game. With that in mind, it is ridiculous that Shane Bond should be banned for taking part in the ICL. It just strikes me as shortsighted that one of the most exciting bowlers in the world is no longer allowed to play for New Zealand. He is one of their best players,” he said.
At the moment, the only disadvantage of the slotting of the IPL seem that it will be clashing with the English country competitions.
“While I am really excited about the forthcoming IPL, a change of dates means that I will miss more of the season with Hampshire than I intended when I signed the contract. When I agreed to support the IPL, it was scheduled to begin around the middle of March and continue until towards the end of April,” he pointed out.
“I would have missed only the first game or two in the County Championship. Now it will run from mid-April until the end of May, but I am still strongly committed as an ambassador and captain of one of the eight franchises.”