‘Bhai yeh toh shuru hote he khataam ho gaaya’ – Fans react to Indian Cricket Board’s directive of players not being allowed to play in Saudi League
Saudi Arabia had extensive talks with the Indian Premier League(IPL) team owners about setting up the ‘World’s richest cricket league’ there. There were reports that the Indian Cricket Board could relax its rules and the Indian players could end up participating in the league. But now it seems that the board said that the players cannot participate in any other league other than IPL.
Saudi Arabia oil major Aramco has had lucrative sponsorship deals with the Indian Cricket Board and also the Cricket Governing Body. The Kingdom has put out a milestone saying that it should become the number one tourist destination by 2030. Although Indian players would not be allowed to participate in the league, the board said it will not stop the IPL franchises from investing in Saudi and making a T20 League there.
IPL franchises such as Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals have invested in other leagues across the world. The Indian Cricket Board does not endorse Indian players participating in other T20 Leagues, because they see it as a threat to IPL.
All IPL franchises are looking at investment opportunities elsewhere – Indian Cricket Board
“No current Indian players will be taking part in any of the leagues, but as far as franchise participation is concerned, we can’t stop them, a top ICB official told The Indian Express. “It’s their individual decision. We have seen IPL franchises going to South Africa or Dubai and we can’t say no. It’s their choice to have their team in any of the leagues around the world.”
‘Everyone is looking out’ for ownership opportunities in other countries, a franchise official said. “From a franchise’s perspective, that’s the direction it’s going. I don’t think there’s a single franchise that’s one-dimensional.” The IPL franchises could find another market to invest in and it could turn out to be profitable. Given Saudi’s investment in sports such as Golf and Formula 1.
“At the moment, we don’t know if they have enough stadiums to conduct a league of this magnitude.” The ICB official added that it is wonderful if the new league takes shape but raised his concerns about the infrastructure of stadiums available in Saudi Arabia.
Let us take a look at the reactions on Twitter:
Knew it already else domestic tournaments like Ranji , Syed Mustaq will be doomed, players will be focusing on to make easy money with these foreign leagues so a good step by BCCI
— Sarcastic Cowboy (@SarcasticCowboy) April 15, 2023
Nonsense. For example if the next T20 WC is in Australia, we could send our T20 specialists to play in big bash to get familiar with pitch and conditions. They're not thinking straight.
— EM23 (@EM23LM10) April 15, 2023
At least they can allow players who are not having any BCCI contract to take part in the leagues.
— أ س (🇮🇳🕊️🇵🇸) (@yesiamshahbaz) April 15, 2023
https://twitter.com/TheUnabashed/status/1647097848968933378?s=20
Pagal Pakis be like- ye kya ho gya bhaijaan, India ki sajish hai har baar garam krke thanda hi chor dete hai🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/11O8DLfgek
— गुड्डू भईया (@Manikan42687219) April 15, 2023
Bad decision. We won't win the world cup until our players league outside the IPL too.
— Geet Jain (@geetjain4) April 15, 2023
PAGLET HAI BCCI. ARE YAAR ROHIT KO TOH ALREADY T20 SE HATA DIYA TOH AB USKO JAANE DO. MAIN ROHIT KA FAN HUN. MAIN USSE KHELTE DEKHNA CHAHTA HUN OTHER LEAGUES MEIN BHI. WAISE BHI 2023 KE ODI WORLD CUP KE BAAD USKO RETIRE HO HI JAANA CHAHIYE. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
— KUMAR SHUBHAM (@KUMARSH13187136) April 15, 2023
This will, although someday backfire BCCI badly for sure. SA20 already building up….Maybe England, SA , Aus will together organise a big league in future and once they build a brand, they will also stop sending their players to IPL. Either send ur players or forget our one
— Shantanu 🏏🎧#Pantian (@Shantanu630) April 15, 2023
We wont play in other leagues in alien conditions, getting exposure to diff strategies and adaptability. We wont pay Domestic tournaments because there is no money, eyeballs, coverage like IPL. And we won't get to play too many games in ICC competitions because others ensure that
— Ambika (@apmahapatra) April 15, 2023
Bcci should not allow their players to play in foreign leagues. There are domestic seasons, ipl, international cricket which is more thn sufficient for a playere to play, if bcci starts allowing their players to play in foreign league thn ipl & domestic cricket become invaluable
— Himanshu (@himanshu_sa_) April 15, 2023
