IPL 2023: Soon, IPL franchises could restructure players’ contracts, forcing players to seek NOC from franchises to play for national sides. In what could effectively be “One Contract to Rule Them All”, IPL teams may rope in megastars like David Warner, Steve Smith and Pat Cummins in big-money contracts to play in multiple franchises. With Mumbai Indians, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Lucknow Super Giants and Kolkata Knight Riders apart from Chennai Super Kings operating multiple teams in SA20, ILT20, IPL, even CPL and soon in Major League Cricket, they are mulling the idea. Follow Indian Premier League LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
For example, Quinton de Kock is playing for Lucknow Super Giants and Durban Super Giants in IPL and SA20. Aiden Markram is playing for two Sunrisers teams. Andre Russell and Sunil Narine are playing for three Knight Riders teams at present. In future, KKR will also look to have them in their MLC team.
“It’s a long shot at this moment. But yes, it is an idea. But it is going to be a reality sooner or later. Even if the current international players don’t want a multi-franchise contract, someone who has retired could get financial and playing security. It is something that many teams will be exploring,” a franchise official told InsideSport.
Players playing trade in multiple teams in same franchise
Currently, as many as 16 players have contracts with two or more teams of the same franchises. While the teams currently follow separate contracts for each franchise tournament, it could change very soon.
However, although South African and West Indies superstars dominate the current multi-franchise setup, Australians are the real deal. Franchises have been pursuing Australian stars to sign up for such a deal. The likes of Steve Smith and David Warner among others have already received mind-boggling $7.5 million or Rs 61 Crore contracts to play in Major League Cricket from IPL franchises.
And if that happens, players won’t need a NOC from their national teams. Instead, they will need NOCs from their franchises to play for their national sides. While Indian stars are safe for now, the not-so-well-known names could also follow suit. They could be forced to retire and play in overseas T20 leagues.
“There is no doubt that franchise cricket will take over the traditional idea of bilateral cricket soon. BCCI might have the financial might to hold on to their stars due to IPL. But players who are not regulars in IPL and not in national team could think of moving out. Then boards like South Africa, West Indies or Sri Lanka will have no sway over their players. With little money on offer, they will move away from the national team and play in franchise cricket,” another official from an IPL franchise explained.
IPL 2023: Some Indian players open to retiring to play in franchise leagues
A Karnataka player who has been regular in the state side hasn’t been able to crack the IPL code. But with age not by his side, he is open to such an idea.
“Not many would be open to the idea as playing for India is a matter of pride for all of us. But yes, if you get ignored year after year and can’t even land an IPL contract, it is only feasible to grab opportunities. I have not given this a thought myself but a multi-franchise deal is not a bad idea,” the player told InsideSport.
Some of the current Australian players are already considering a move to accept such multi-franchise contracts. Delhi Capitals assistant coach Shane Watson said players from countries barring Big 3 (India, Australia and England) could be tempted.
“It’s really sped up around the big IPL owners just buying franchises in different leagues. They are looking to have a pool of players that they can draw on to fill their teams and have an overarching contract.
Of course, the ultimate is Test cricket and international cricket. But sadly, the priority for Test cricket only really looks like being in three countries. Their priority is to develop the short-format game to play around the world for franchises,” Shane Watson told DailyMail.
What does BCCI think?
BCCI though is following it closely, they are not bothered by it. However, there could be a time when BCCI could lose the value of big series if players choose franchise cricket over international cricket.
“We are aware of it but I don’t think it concerns BCCI or India Cricket much. Franchises are free to take their business decisions. But contract rules in IPL are not going to change anytime soon.
So, you could see most of the players being released before a mega auction. And franchises won’t benefit much. Also, we have not received any request to look into a new player contract. I also don’t think bilateral cricket between India, Australia, England or even Pakistan for that matter will lose any value even if big players don’t play for them,” a senior BCCI official told InsideSport.
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