Former Indian player and head coach Ravi Shastri believes it is ‘inevitable’ that cricket would adopt a franchise-based model, making international cricket, particularly bilateral series, outdated.
The rise of franchise-based leagues across the world, as well as their purchase by established owners, have sparked the interest of international players. Several high-profile players have already chosen to give up national contracts in order to work as freelance cricketers. They aspire to extend their international careers with participation in franchise leagues and significant international tournaments.
Ravi Shastri stated on ESPNcricinfo’s Run Order
India that the possibility to play franchise cricket throughout the world will be tough for Indian players to pass up.
“It is inevitable that cricket will go in that direction, because look at the volume of people in this country. There are 1.4 billion people and only 11 can play for India, what will the others do? What do the other 60-70 players do? If they have an opportunity to play cricket globally across different franchises, they will grab that opportunity, it’s common sense.”
He added:
“Nobody will be able to deprive them if they are not contracted by the BCCI. So, what stops them from going?”
IPL teams have become well-known in cricket by purchasing franchises from various leagues in South Africa, UAE, West Indies, and the US.
“We have seen that shift slowly over the last couple of years” – Tom Moody on Indian Premier League franchises growing their market
Former Australian player and coach Tom Moody believes that franchise cricket will take over the scene in the coming years. The leagues have grown to dominate the cricketing calendar, with the ICC being compelled to carve out a special slot for the IPL due to its demands.
According to Moody, the tectonic change occurred as IPL owners decided to widen their horizons:
“I think firstly, it is inevitable. We have seen that shift slowly over the last couple of years when we have seen IPL teams look to buy other franchises around the world and the reason why it is starting to be being talked about is because each IPL team, are looking to get a bigger footprint in the game.”
He added:
“It may not financially benefit them, but they are looking at the long-term benefit of having a larger stake in time in the game in the calendar year.”
There have been discussions of increasing the IPL from 74 to over 100 matches every season. Similarly, other leagues will want to establish themselves in the market, making it competitive and casting a shadow over international cricket.
