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Legendary Indian cricketer and broadcaster Sunil Gavaskar has expressed concerns about the trend of IPL franchises heavily investing in players from state-level T20 leagues and junior cricket.
The IPL’s success has not only inspired cricket boards worldwide to establish similar tournaments but has also prompted several state associations under the BCCI to launch their own T20 leagues in recent years.
Sunil Gavaskar criticizes IPL teams for their heavy investments in up-and-coming players from state-level T20 leagues.
The newest addition to this expanding roster is the Delhi Premier League (DPL), which began last weekend. The DPL, like its counterparts, seeks to identify and highlight emerging talent. These leagues have increasingly drawn the interest of IPL franchises, with some teams ready to invest significant sums in standout players.
A prime example is the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), who made headlines last year by signing Sameer Rizvi for a remarkable Rs 8.4 crore, following his impressive performances in the UP T20 League.
While many IPL teams are eager to invest in players who have shone in these emerging leagues, Gavaskar has voiced skepticism about this trend. The cricketing legend described the expenditure on standout performers from state leagues as a “sheer waste of money.”
Gavaskar, a former Indian captain, argued that the level of competition in junior leagues or state-level T20 tournaments is vastly different from that in domestic competitions such as the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and even more so from the high standards of the IPL or international cricket.
In his column for Mid-Day, Sunil Gavaskar wrote: “We’ve observed how many under-19 players struggle to find their footing in first-class cricket, as the level of competition is significantly higher compared to junior tournaments.”
“Similarly, those who shine in the State T20 leagues don’t necessarily replicate their performances in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy or the IPL as the standards are much higher there. The franchises are finding out that forking crores for players shining in the State Premier leagues is not a great idea and a sheer waste of money.”
The Indian domestic cricket season begins with the Duleep Trophy 2024, and Gavaskar feels this tournament will offer the national selectors crucial insights into which players are ready to progress to the next level and potentially represent the country.
Gavaskar signed off by saying, “The Indian cricket season begins with the Duleep Trophy starting in a couple of weeks’ time and it’s good to see that this time around all the internationals will be taking part in it. That is the one sure way the selectors will be able to see if the bowlers and batters are good enough to take the next step to the international level.”
The IPL 2025 Mega Auction is anticipated to span two days, similar to the 2022 auction. Unlike the auctions for the 2023 and 2024 seasons, which were held in December, the IPL 2025 Auction is expected to take place either in December 2024 or February 2025.
