Indians in Foreign Leagues: Despite initial thoughts on allowing non-contracted Indian players to play in foreign leagues, the BCCI has backed out. Instead, the diktat remains the same, ‘No Indian players are allowed.’ But it hasn’t sunk in well with the Indian franchises operating teams in UAE, South Africa and in the West Indies. Some are of the belief that non-contracted Indian players should be allowed to play or play some role in their franchises, especially when some already play in England in ODIs and First Class. Follow IPL 2023 LIVE Updates & Indian Cricket LIVE Updates with InsideSport.IN.
“It’s absurd, to be honest. I understand you cannot have Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli in your competitions. But what is the point of not allowing players who are non-contracted and don’t play in IPL? Let alone play, why can’t a retired player mentor a team? There are players who are playing in England. But as things stand, we have no other option but to abide by BCCI,” a franchise official told InsideSport.
Indians in Foreign Leagues: Franchises unhappy with BCCI’s DIKTAT on Indian players availability, say ‘If they can play in England, why not in UAE or South Africa?’
Another franchise official with team in South Africa T20 League said, it is what they expected and refrained from contacting any Indian player for a role in foreign league.
“This is what we expected. I understand the reason. It’s not just Virat or Rohit, someone like Rajat Patidar or Arshdeep Singh or Harshal Patel create that value. But players who don’t find a place in the state team or in the IPL should be allowed to play. That is how they will get exposure and match practice. BCCI’s stance is disappointing,” the official said.
BCCI’s response came after InsideSport reported that Chennai Super Kings were interested in having MS Dhoni as mentor or in some role for their Johannesburg franchise in South Africa T20 Leagues. BCCI made it clear that whatever role it is, if a player wants to play any part in foreign leagues, they have to retire from IPL first.
“It’s clear, no Indian player including domestic players can take part in any other league until he is retired from all forms of the game. If any player wants to take part in these upcoming leagues he can only do so when he cuts off all ties with the BCCI,” a BCCI official told The Indian Express on Saturday.
Indians in Foreign Leagues: Franchises unhappy with BCCI’s DIKTAT on Indian players availability, say ‘If they can play in England, why not in UAE or South Africa?’
Indian Players Foreign Leagues: Why is BCCI strict on not allowing Indian players in foreign leagues?
- The Indian players are exclusive to IPL only.
- The presence of MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah amongst others creates the IPL’s value.
- At present, IPL is most valuable cricket league in the world ahead of any ICC event.
- If BCCI is to allow Indian players, IPL will lose exclusivity and some of the Indian players may play for lucrative offers elsewhere.
- If it happens, the IPL will lose its brand value and exclusivity, affecting both franchises, BCCI and the official broadcaster.
- As for players in County Cricket and Royal London Cup, it is more of exposure and match practice without any huge viewership.
- The BCCI was open to a discussion after requests from IPL franchises with teams in foreign leagues.
- But BCCI has now shut it down and is unwilling to budge.
- It has forced many cricketers like Unmukt Chand, Smit Patel to retire from Indian cricket to pursue career in foreign leagues.
“BCCI has created a brand IPL and the entire sporting world is in awe of it. We have to protect our brand. We are very concerned when the name of IPL owners is being associated with every foreign league. They are free to invest wherever they want but we will not allow any kind brand leveraging on account of IPL. No Indian player past or present would be allowed to join these leagues,” a BCCI official told InsideSport.
Indians in Foreign Leagues: Franchises unhappy with BCCI’s DIKTAT on Indian players availability, say ‘If they can play in England, why not in UAE or South Africa?’
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