The IPL auctions last week confirmed the arrival of a new era in cricket. Like the Packer revolution of the 1970s that ushered in modern one-day cricket and breathed much-needed life into the game, the Indian Premier League in April and May this year means that world cricket will never be the same again. There are cynics who fear the fabric of the game may be under threat, but I'm convinced that the IPL will be a huge success.
I think we were all surprised by the vast sums paid for players in Mumbai. We knew the IPL was big business and we knew there was a chance of our minimum guarantees being surpassed. But with all the rules and complexity surrounding the auction, it was difficult to predict what would happen. However, when the news of the early bidding started to filter through to us we were astonished. But clearly a great deal of thought went into the buying strategies of the different franchises.
The high price tag on all-rounders and multi-skilled cricketers made sense, as did the stampede for India's more marketable players. Fortunately, wicket-keeper batsmen were also in demand so I managed to get a decent fee. The franchise interest in non-international guys like Cameron White, who are proven T20 performers, was also smart. Naturally, some people are concerned that the players, especially some of the younger guys, are being paid such colossal sums that it could have negative repercussions. There is, of course, always a danger that young stars can fall even faster than they rise if success and fame goes to their heads.
The BCCI's decision in this regard to give some of their younger players counselling is a good idea. The players also need to have good managers and advisors around them. However, on balance, the rise in player wages is I think a really positive development. Getting to the top of any sport is not easy and it is only right that when you do make it that you are properly rewarded. Cricket, compared to the likes of football, golf, tennis and American sports, has not traditionally been a particularly lucrative sport to play but the IPL is going to help many cricketers secure their financial future and that is great news. People are also worried about IPL getting in the way of national commitments. I agree that boards should try to create a window in the playing schedule to accommodate IPL. That is entirely sensible. But I still think that the priority of the world's top players will remain playing for your country.
The sense of pride and satisfaction you feel when performing for your country can't be bought with dollars. It was also clear last week that with the exception of some T20 specialists, franchises want cricketers who are performing on the international stage. They were less interested in the guys that have recently retired, which surprised many people who had assumed the likes of Shane Warne and Glen McGrath would attract huge bids. So fears that the IPL will push cricketers into early retirement will also prove unfounded, I think. I was thrilled to be going to Mohali with Mahela (Jayawardene). We like playing together and it looks like we have the makings of a great team set-up with Tom Moody in charge. Yuvraj Singh, our skipper, who unfortunately rediscovered his form against us last week, is one of the world's most devastating T20 batsmen and with the likes of Simon Katich, who is highly underrated and was a great buy, will ensure the top order is going to be strong.
I am not sure how much cricket Brett Lee will be playing in the first year, but with Irfan (Pathan) and Sreesanth charging in the bowling attack is also shaping up nicely. We are also quite a young team-the oldest player is Simon Katich at 32-so there is going to be lots of energy and the fielding should be strong.
Source: http://in.sports.yahoo.com/cricket/ipl/columns/columns_20080224_1.html
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