Saudi Arabia League: No Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya or any other Indian stars will play in Saudi Arabia. The alleged biggest Twenty20 league in the world will be held in Saudi, but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will not release any of its players. Cricket is the next sport Saudi Arabia is planning to enter after hosting Formula One races, controlling Newcastle United, signing Cristiano Ronaldo to play in the domestic league, and marketing the competing LIV golf course.
According to Australian media reports, the Indian Board and the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises would be involved in a league that the Saudi Arabian government is purportedly organising. And it further stated that the BCCI will reportedly bend its policy of releasing players for foreign leagues.
“There is no question of releasing India players. In fact, the premise of the question itself is wrong. There is a policy and we will stick by it,” a BCCI source told Cricbuzz.
Also Read:
https://www.insidesport.in/an-offer-ipl-owners-cant-refuse-cash-strapped-saudi-arabia-aims-to-surprass-ipl-2023-as-it-woos-indian-owners-to-set-up-worlds-richest-cricket-competition-in-gulf-deets-here/
Saudi Arabia League with IPL teams?
According to a story in the Australian media, the Gulf nation has already held discussions with the IPL franchises, however according to six of the ten IPL team owners Cricbuzz spoke to, they were unaware of the proposal from the oil-rich Gulf nation.
The IPL owners may not be fully and openly disclosing all the information because it is a business initiative, but a BCCI source also claimed to be unaware of a league of this kind that will soon be established in Saudi Arabia.
It is to be noted no Indian players in current generation including Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma or any other has played in any international leagues.
An unforgettable experience awaits you at Jazan. 🌊#VisitSaudi #Jazan pic.twitter.com/sx340WhgB5
— Visit Saudi (@VisitSaudi) February 26, 2023
Saudi Arabia and sportswashing
The Saudi government and businesses have recently engaged with international sports and athletes on a large scale, but critics claim this is an attempt to ‘sportswash’ human rights abuse and environmental difficulties.
Aramaco’s relationship with the ICC has come under fire from a few cricket boards, but the international body (ICC), like the BCCI, has persisted with the Saudi corporation.
Editor's Pick
Cricket
ICC ready for Champions Trophy with or without Pakistan as cricket boards back BCCI over PCB
Top Stories
