IPL Needs A Window
By Indian Cricket Fever
May 10 2011
It is high time that the IPL the biggest money spinner in the game, the one tournament that any player would not want to miss, be assigned a window in the World Cricket calendar.
The recent retirement of Lasith Malinga from Test cricket, following in the footsteps of the two Andrews, Flintoff and Symonds, as well as the latest squabble between the West Indies Cricket Board and Chris Gayle, Jerome Taylor, among others, has many people concluding that the IPL which allows a player to earn in a few short weeks more than they would probably in many cases earn the rest of year, should have its own fixed window in the annual international calendar. If the administrators of the game can do this much for the players the players will be a happy lot and willing to be loyal to traditional cricket for the rest of the year.
Mid April to mid May would seem ideal as the time for this window. That is the time when Indian kids are on vacation and when parents would not mind them watching cricket on TV for weeks on end. The fact that the IPL is played in the evenings is another reason why holding the tournament in the hotter summer months of April and May is not a crazy idea.
Additionally it is also the time when the regular Indian and Australian seasons are over and when the English season has barely begun. As the three richest and most influential boards in the ICC it is vital that their normal seasons should not overlap the IPL. In fact no major team with the possible exception of the West Indies has its normal season during this time of the year.
All these factors make mid April to mid May the ideal window for the IPL. In return for this the BCCI the owners of the IPL property, must not get greedy and try to hold more than one IPL per year, or try and drag the tournament much longer than 30 days.
If these adjustments could be made the game could return to some level of normalcy in scheduling the various formats and events, and would give the regular cricket fan a much more interesting and consistent fixtures programme which would make following all formats of the game easier and more enjoyable.
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Vettorri recently said so, earlier Gayle, Sangakarra and many others have voiced the same opinion...
It is the other boards, i.e. mostly ECB and CA who are balking...
From Cricbuzz...
[www.cricbuzz.com]
Retiring Australian legend Shane Warne made a pitch for a window for the IPL in the international calendar, emphasizing that the tournament helped break barriers between different nations.
"I look back at the IPL with fun and with the wish that the ICC would say no international cricket for six weeks and every cricketer is available to play. That will help in breaking down barriers in world cricket about sledging and all those sorts of things and everyone is friends," he said.
"There are a lot of good things about the IPL, hope that continues. As long as the nucleus of the team is the same, the fans will have to get used to the players, IPL is very good for Indian cricket and world cricket," he added.
Warne also had fond memories of his stay at the Rajasthan Royals and said - with some justification - that his franchise had probably uncovered more unknown talent for India than any of the others.
"Royals will be very good next year if the international boys fire with guys like (Ajinkya) Rahane, (Ashok) Meneria (there). Rahul (Dravid) plays well at the top. Young Ankit Chavan (left arm spinner) bowled beautifully tonight [in the Royals' last match versus Mumbai Indians], probably had Sachin out twice. I think they will go all the way next year," he said.
"At the end of the day I think IPL is about promoting young cricketers in India. We have done probably better than any other team in the competition with that. To win the second-most games after Chennai with the teams we had for four years was an outstanding effort from all our guys in the squad."
Warne ruled out the option of coming back as a full-time coach, but said he wouldn't mind being a consultant, and if it was for the Rajasthan Royals - all the better.
"I wouldn't be here as a coach for the entire tournament. No point being here for seven weeks and don't play. But I can see myself in a consultancy sort of a role...may be ten days pre tournament or a week in the middle or a week in the end. That might be with the Rajasthan Royals.
"In the next 12 months I might not be associated (with Royals), it may be somebody else. Royals will be my first priority. If I can't come to an agreement with them I will look elsewhere and see whatever team (as consultant) for a week or so. If I don't, I will play another poker tournament and watch on the telly," he said about his future plans.
He also had ideas on making the tournament more interesting and competitive with super-rounds, saying: "I actually thought there should be two super rounds with each team playing five internationals...just two rounds in the middle of the tournament. Some teams might not have played well and an extra international may help to get them back up. If people like it then the next year or later have three super rounds - one after every four games sort of," he explained.
Looking back on their campaign this year, he rued that the team fell off track in a few games but insisted when they batted the way they did against Mumbai, with Shane Watson going hammer at tongs at Lasith Malinga and company, they were the best team in the competition.
"We played extremely well. We showed when we do fire we probably are the best team in the competition. Unfortunately our batsmen just did not fire through the competition. If Watson had one or two innings like that, Ross Taylor had one or two more innings, we probably would have been first or second. We won six games and a wash-out and if we had won two more games we would have been right at the top," he said.
"I'm really proud of the way we have conducted ourselves on and off the field, no silly sledgings...and we did not embarrass ourselves, just got out and played," he added.
He said his compatriot Watson was probably the best batsman currently on the planet when he plays the way he did.
"You can argue if he's not the best batsman in the world at the moment, who is? I think he is in the top couple of batsmen in the world when he's on song. He apologised to me three or four times tonight sorry he could not do it in the last few games. I said 'mate it happens. Even Don Bradman couldn't do it'."
Warne recalled that when the IPL was conceptualised in 2008 no one knew how it will turn out and complimented former chairman and commissioner Lalit Modi for the way the tournament has evolved.
"In 2008 No one knew what to expect in the IPL. What's going to happen...auctions, franchises, massive money for players for six weeks' work...what's going on?
"That's what lured me out of retirement as I thought it looks pretty cool to be involved. I think the way Lalit Modi did it, his brain, his baby. The rest of it was all about the players. I thought he did a great job.
"I look back (with fondness) at 2008. We played some phenomenal cricket out there When something is new and fresh and you don't know what's there you try to be a step ahead of the opposition. We were the first to open the bowling with spin. We came out with new ideas which have been copied by others, which is nice. It's a back-handed compliment."
Asked about his spat with Rajasthan Cricket Association secretary Sanjay Dixit, Warne hoped the IPL authorities would act against his comments on a website after both the warring parties were told at the hearing by the T20 authorities not to air their views on the issue in public.
"We were told we should not make comments. I think he has made comments in the last few days, hopefully he might get into trouble for going against what the orders were. The bottom line is we both said exactly the same things, called each other exactly the same names... to me it's a bit immature from both sides and we both should have gone at it private. For me to cop a fine and for him to get away scot-free and still be up to talk and nothing is happening to him (is not fair)," he remarked.
Talking about his future plans, the leg spin legend said that this was the happiest phase of his life.
"I would like to concentrate on my poker, being with my three kids and with Elizabeth (Hurley). I am happier than I have ever been. I have made a lot of friends and business wise I have 3-4 businesses with a few more in the pipeline," he said.
He also said he had plans to start an academy for spinners.
"I want to start a spinners' academy where anyone can come and train for free. I am looking out for sponsors."
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:05:22:09:51:37 by Birbal.

however i would not agree with the original title...IPL would go on with or without a window......
world cricket needs a window of break during the IPL times...to avoid top stars availbality for their teams

If the ECB had any commonsense they would have moved their season by now...and English players would have been happily playing in the IPL...instead of sitting in cold drizzly dressing rooms watching it on TV...

I think that is a bit far fetched to suggest that England have been working their players to the ground. KP missed the T20 games in India and all the limited overs matches (ODIs and T20s) in NZ. He has even rested for ODIs during the England summer series and tweeted in anger about it (and promptly got a fine).
The central contracts are tied to the TV rights, and so the players get the amounts they are paid because the ECB negotiated that deal. Ultimately I understand the players desire to maximise their earnings but there are financial commitments. You cannot expect that Sky / sponsors / the public would agree to allowing England to field a 2nd string England side.
It is not a simple equation.
Quote:choor
England have been playing 7 tests since at least 2000. Sky was given exclusive rights after 2005 and I think the last one would have been in 2010.
I think that is a bit far fetched to suggest that England have been working their players to the ground. KP missed the T20 games in India and all the limited overs matches (ODIs and T20s) in NZ. He has even rested for ODIs during the England summer series and tweeted in anger about it (and promptly got a fine).
The central contracts are tied to the TV rights, and so the players get the amounts they are paid because the ECB negotiated that deal. Ultimately I understand the players desire to maximise their earnings but there are financial commitments. You cannot expect that Sky / sponsors / the public would agree to allowing England to field a 2nd string England side.
It is not a simple equation.
1) pay the players more money and get all of them to play tests
OR
2) Lose top 2 to 4 players for some of the tests...to IPL
OR
3) Move the English test match start by a week or 2 or 3 to not coincide with IPL.
this is also a simple equation...with no 4th option.
4) Do not pay more for the players. Shout from the rooftop that country and tests are more important than money and a silly domestic hit and giggle game. Just pretend IPL does not exist.
There already trying this. Only problem is it is not working anymore.
Quote:choor
Or the fifth option. Opt out of the central contract and become a professional T20 player.
it's not a realistic option...because then the ECB targets such players, drives vendatta......and imposes ridicuilous fines and pays professional writers in wisden to curse them.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:17:18:42:52 by shilpa.
Quote:shilpaQuote:choor
Or the fifth option. Opt out of the central contract and become a professional T20 player.
it's not a realistic option...because then the ECB targets such players, drives vendatta......and imposes ridicuilous fines and pays professional writers in wisden to curse them.
just like what BCCI did to the ICL players. lol.
If ECB was to allow freedom with no implicit threats to it's players...follwoing would be taken up:
1) Finn, Broad and Swann...for 500k+
2) Monty, Prior, Chris Woakes......250K+
3) Meaker, Onions, Bairstow...for 100K+
and that would be a pretty large English contingent.....and a resoanble represnetation for a nation taht is pretty strong as an international side.
someone might throw a batting coach type role in front of Flower brothers also.....if it were not for ECB restrictions
Quote:audioman
There should also be talk of what happens when players injure themselves in the IPL and have to sit out a couple of series for their national teams. It is just ironic that cricketers have complained for years about there being too much cricket, and are suddenly okay with all this cricket plus a good bit of at least 10 games of T20 cricket. It makes no sense, but hey, $$ does that to the best of us.
the lure of IPL dollars has built WI cricket....from shambles to world champions in the format IPL is
Quote:choor
I am sure the likes of Lumb (played before), Butler, Hales and possibly Kieswetter would pick up something too.
yes I forgot Lumb......I haven't nsional brotehr of Yuseen Butler, Hales...I have seen Keiswetter...and he is a one dimensional brother of Yusuf pathan.
I forgot Onions and Tremlett if fit will also make the USD 200K type cut
Quote:shilpa
the lure of IPL dollars has built WI cricket....from shambles to world champions in the format IPL is
Given how well T&T performed in the very first edition of the Champions League, that would be an incorrect statement. WI cricket has always been built on flair and this format just suits them to a T. It has always been the case, very unfair for the likes of Narine, Badree, Pollard, Gayle to completely attribute their success to the IPL. Pollard, Badree and Narine were excellent T20 players in the WI, well before they became big names in the IPL. And Gayle's record in the international arena speaks for itself.
What IPL has definfinely done is given the talent and skill the right price... and now these guys are secure financially and no longer beholden to the paternalistic WICB...who now have to actually look after the INTEREST of the the PLAYERS and not themseleves... this in the long run helps Windies cricket...
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:19:19:02:41 by Birbal.
Quote:Birbal
who now have to actually look after the INTEREST of the the PLAYERS and not themseleves... this in the long run helps Windies cricket...
Let me ask you about this scenario - TTCB could consistently win most Champions League tournaments if they played a team that included Narine, Badree, Cooper, Rampaul, Bravo and Pollard. But they always seem to get bought out by the IPL teams, for a pretty cheap price mostly. Would TTCB not want to make a name for themselves on the world stage by winning the competition? Not to mention the cash prize that goes with it? Who do you blame for this mess? Above all, would you not want these players to represent their country over "club" level teams? Who do you blame? Or is this again not the IPL's fault?
There is stil more room for 1 or 2 short leagues. The clubs and country matches can happily co exist.
Quote:Martian
can we stop with the self righteous country over club BS? It is not as if they joined the enemy and started killing the countrymen. These are just men who ply their trade to make a living and make themselves and their family better. The fans enjoy a good match whether it is between countries or clubs.
There is stil more room for 1 or 2 short leagues. The clubs and country matches can happily co exist.
good post
As for the "quality" of the IPL, that is highly debatable. If you looked at the some of the catching and fielding that went on the previous editions of the IPL, you would find better performances at school cricket really.
Quote:Nobody here supported BCCI killing ICL. You are barking at the wrong tree. Are you saying BCCI is wrong, but ECB is right?audioman
Talk of self-righteous bull from a country that won't even consider ICL players to ply their trade peacefully is exactly that - bull.
Quote:As for the "quality" of the IPL, that is highly debatable. If you looked at the some of the catching and fielding that went on the previous editions of the IPL, you would find better performances at school cricket really.
then watch school cricket really. This reminds me of a joke.
A woman calls the cops complaining that a man is exercising naked and harassing her. The cops will arrive to her house and they will look around. They will not see any naked man in the street, in her lawn or in her neighbours' lawns. The woman will take the cops inside the house and still there will be no sign of a naked man. Then she will take them to the bathroom, pull up a stool and step on it an look outside of the window into the neighbours house and scream.."now you see the naked man".
Quote:MartianQuote:As for the "quality" of the IPL, that is highly debatable. If you looked at the some of the catching and fielding that went on the previous editions of the IPL, you would find better performances at school cricket really.
then watch school cricket really. This reminds me of a joke.
So I should watch the IPL only if I have good things to say about it? You sound exactly like the BCCI dictatorship there.
Quote:audiomanQuote:MartianQuote:As for the "quality" of the IPL, that is highly debatable. If you looked at the some of the catching and fielding that went on the previous editions of the IPL, you would find better performances at school cricket really.
then watch school cricket really. This reminds me of a joke.
So I should watch the IPL only if I have good things to say about it? You sound exactly like the BCCI dictatorship there.
nobody is forcing you to watch IPL and sing its praises..but why watch it and complain about it all the time..
Its like going to chinese restaurant daily and complaing that you dont get pizza there..wtf..you know what you are going to get..
Quote:Meet_New_Mr_India
so if there is nothing good about IPL, like your "comments" suggest, enlighten us why you watch it? or thats how your personality is?
some people likes it, wtach it....but publicly complains because by doing they feel closer to their white masters.....noticed how English media pretends to ignore or deroagte with "hit and giggle" type terms
That is a lot of people who seem to like it...

Quote:that is 4 times the population of EngBirbal
IPL is watched by estimated 200 Million on a daily basis...
That is a lot of people who seem to like it...


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