IPL Teams Indulging in 'Sheer Waste of Money' by Picking Players From State T20 Leagues as Standards Not Comparable

The success of Indian Premier League not only inspired cricket boards from around the world to launch similar tournaments of their own but has also led to various BCCI affiliated state associations following the model and launching T20 leagues of their own.

Also Read: Gavaskar Questions Absence of Rohit, Kohli From Duleep Trophy

The most recent addition to this list is the Delhi Premier League which got underway last weekend. Players shining in such tournaments have caught the attention of IPL teams too with few betting big on their potential at the auctions.

A prime example of this was Chennai Super Kings – the joint-most successful team in IPL history – splurging a mind-boggling Rs 8.4 crore on Sameer Rizvi who shot to limelight by hitting the fastest century in UP T20 League.

The IPL franchises have also paid top-dollars for players who have rose to prominence through their performances at the junior level.

However, Sunil Gavaskar has questioned the rationale behind such approach since the quality of cricket is vastly different when one compares U-19 or state T20 league with even domestic cricket (read Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tourney), let alone with IPL or international level.

“We have already seen how most under-19 players struggle to get their footing at the first-class level as the standard of the opposition is way higher than in the junior tournaments,” Gavaskar wrote in his column for the mid-day.

He further wrote that ‘forking crores’ for players who impress in state premier leagues is “sheer waste of money”.

“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,” he wrote.

The Indian domestic season begins with the Duleep Trophy, a red-ball tournament and Gavaskar reckons such competitions give selectors an idea of the players who are ready to graduate to the next level.

“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,” he wrote.