Indian Premier/Cricket League - death of traditional cricket as we know it?

Top Contributors
C

Chandu

Guest
Indian Premier/Cricket League - death of traditional cricket as we know it?

Surprised nobody has mentioned anything about this yet.

What about this new rebel Indian Cricket League which only has Twenty20 format, is signing big (retired) names like Brian Lara, Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne (and also rumored to be going after Stephen Fleming, some South African names I might have missed too?). Now I'm old enough to remember Packer's cricket circus and everything, but this is very different. Back in those days we didn't have internet, satellite TV. And Twenty20 definitely didn't exist. Even ODI format wasn't that popular then.

I've strongly come to believe over last year that Twenty20 will eventually become a death knell for traditional cricket as we know it. And somehow there will be US involvement (or American sports mentality) or involvement of rich Indian/Aussie/British businessmen with US connections. We also watched the how ICC managed to make clowns of themselves in a ODI World Cup which financially had to be a disaster. Now we come upon the first ever Twenty20 World Cup which will be officially staged by ICC itself. But ICC needs to be very careful about trading on thin ice here, specifically how to market Twenty20 in relation to traditional cricket, how to compete against capitalistic competition which is getting ready to pounce on any sign of weakness in ICC.

I'm going to grab myself some popcorn, sit back on the sofa and plan to watch over the course of next year how this entire drama plays out. It is possible it may end tamely in a court with some boring financial settlement. It's possible it won't, and some big names (like Shoaib Akhtar perhaps?) may just tell their national selection committees to go to hell and join this rebel competition in full force. The most extreme scenario may involve such rebel league wanting to establish home eventually in USA and Canada. It's very difficult to predict, but whatever it is, we're in for some interesting and rocky times ahead.

Comments anyone?
 
Re: Indian Cricket League - death of traditional cricket as we know it?

Chandu;171387 said:
Surprised nobody has mentioned anything about this yet.

What about this new rebel Indian Cricket League which only has Twenty20 format, is signing big (retired) names like Brian Lara, Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne (and also rumored to be going after Stephen Fleming, some South African names I might have missed too?). Now I'm old enough to remember Packer's cricket circus and everything, but this is very different. Back in those days we didn't have internet, satellite TV. And Twenty20 definitely didn't exist. Even ODI format wasn't that popular then.
Click to expand...

They're definitely going into the unknown here but this type of "breakaway thing" has been tried before with Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket (WSC) concept. It has similar parallels with what WSC was back then,


  • The competition is a "rebel" series with the tournament going against the home nation's cricket board
  • It has recruited star players from around the world (Lara) and possibly McGrath, Warne and Fleming to take part
  • It is promoting a new version of cricket (Although Twenty20 is more familiar to global cricket fans)
  • Being peddled by people who are quite wealthy

However, it is different in the sense that this will get far greater coverage in the media than what WSC did, even though Packer was the owner of the Channel Nine network all those years ago. As you said Chandu, we have Internet, Sattelite TV coverage and all sorts of other outlets to help promote the game. Plus, we have the fact that this is a relatively new cricketing concept. There are still many that dislike this newest form of cricket and the traditionalists would like see this sort of thing as a "fad" rather than a "permanent concept" type thing. But, with all the technology we have on hand, it would be very hard to stop the spread of interest in Twenty20 cricket.

Chandu said:
I've strongly come to believe over last year that Twenty20 will eventually become a death knell for traditional cricket as we know it. And somehow there will be US involvement (or American sports mentality) or involvement of rich Indian/Aussie/British businessmen with US connections. We also watched the how ICC managed to make clowns of themselves in a ODI World Cup which financially had to be a disaster. Now we come upon the first ever Twenty20 World Cup which will be officially staged by ICC itself. But ICC needs to be very careful about trading on thin ice here, specifically how to market Twenty20 in relation to traditional cricket, how to compete against capitalistic competition which is getting ready to pounce on any sign of weakness in ICC.
Click to expand...

It's happening now. We are seeing this rebel league being promoted by a bunch of guys who have money to burn and want to see some influence on today's cricket scene. The US influence is here too, with that American entrepreneur (I can't remember his name, Stanford maybe?) who was willing to have a tournament in the West Indies with the winner to pick up over a million dollars.

Twenty20 is here to stay no doubt. It says all the right things to promoters in the fact they can market the sport to people who have little knowledge about cricket. It's fast, it's exciting, it has big hitting and it is worth big dollars to promoters. We've already seen it as a success here in Australia. The first Twenty20 "Big Bash" was a massive success, the WACA was sold out!! It also helped that Western Australia were going at 12 runs an over and that Luke Ronchi and Ryan Campbell smashed 31 runs off less than 3 Shane Warne overs.

It should get bigger over the next few years but the ICC needs to keep it in check. It can't afford to have all these unaffiliated competitions running around. We know that the players will want to play in these leagues if they are given substantial pay packets.

Chandu said:
I'm going to grab myself some popcorn, sit back on the sofa and plan to watch over the course of next year how this entire drama plays out. It is possible it may end tamely in a court with some boring financial settlement. It's possible it won't, and some big names (like Shoaib Akhtar perhaps?) may just tell their national selection committees to go to hell and join this rebel competition in full force. The most extreme scenario may involve such rebel league wanting to establish home eventually in USA and Canada. It's very difficult to predict, but whatever it is, we're in for some interesting and rocky times ahead.

Comments anyone?
Click to expand...

Well, the ICL series takes place in October, November so we will find out soon enough. I don't know how the Indian public will accept this but I'm guessing they could end up liking this thing. It's got their own home-grown stars and some international recruits to boot. And we all know Indian cricket fans go crazy when some international cricketing stars come to town.

This will be very interesting to watch, no doubt about it.
 
Re: Indian Cricket League - death of traditional cricket as we know it?

let's not forget the how ODI were considered when they first started over 3 decades ago.

20/20 is here to stay. the question is will it fit in, or will it be at the expense of one of the other versions.

as for the 'rebel' status. the title 'rebel' itself is a word based on fear of the set establishments. case in point is BCCI, they see someone other than them trying to make money on cricket in 'their' country and they totally flip out and try to prevent anyone from playing in it.

it stinks of elitism (sp.?). that being said, it seems like some of these new groups (other than Stanford) possibly see 20/20 only as a cash cow and want in on it.
 
Re: Indian Cricket League - death of traditional cricket as we know it?

Actually, I see this new group as an opportunity to grow the game. I hope this experiment ends up being very similar to how the new English Premiership was launched in 1992 with big financial backing from BSkyB, thereby dissolving the old English First Division. Of course, that was done very carefully with all executives from English FA being in the same meeting rooms, as an official league (which will be recognized by UEFA and FIFA). In this case, it is clear that this experiment is at direct odds with BCCI and ICC. Eventually, all of BCCI, MCC, Cricket Australia, PCB, ICC, whoever will need to take a hard look at themselves and see where their game is headed in terms of worldwide acceptance. They really need to study the adaptations English Premiership and other leagues had to make. They even need to study how Rugby Union modernized itself by making the game professional, launching then Super 12 competition etc.
 
Re: Indian Cricket League - death of traditional cricket as we know it?

Now Inzy looks like will be playing in ICL.

What happens if say, India drop a player like Yuvraj Singh for few tests/ODIs (completely hypothetical example, I'm not suggesting they should drop him), ICL approach him and want to pay him a lot of money. If he does that, he jeopardizes his India career completely and would never play for India again. The again, he is not sure if he would really be chosen by India in future and may be tempted looking at all that money he may be offered. It sounds like a risky proposition, but some players might fall for it. Under such hypothetical scenario, not only would that player risk national team selection, but even participation in domestic tournaments like Ranji Trophy.

If something like this happens (and I think it will happen sooner rather than later), it would create complicated political situations. As I said before, some negotiations with official bodies must be done to help players with their careers.
 
Re: Indian Cricket League - death of traditional cricket as we know it?

Unlike the WSC days, current controlling bodies have much tighter, stricter contracts with their players now. Not just at international level either. They lock in up & coming cricketers as well.

If this league does get off the ground using retired players I think it will herald a new era of contract where the controlling bodies lock their players in for 5 or 10 years after their international career ends. They will put huge financial penalties on the players if they breach the contract.

Any rebel competitions would then rely on uncontracted players whose ability would not match the ICC players.

This will end in tears for the rebel organisers, in the long run. At best I can see a semi-successful competition for up to 5 years then the talent pool will dwindle rapidly.
 
Re: Indian Cricket League - death of traditional cricket as we know it?

This league would defintiely need to be sanctioned if it wants any sort of success. As said above, only older players who have nothing left to lose would join this, as well as players who couldn't cut it in other leagues. Being penalized by international bodies is not worth it for good players.
 
Re: Indian Cricket League - death of traditional cricket as we know it?

Sri Lanka cricket board has very strongly threatened its players that if any one of them join the "rebel" Indian Cricket League, penalties they might suffer would be extremely harsh. (Could be lifetime ban on being selected on national team as well as ban on being able to play any first-class cricket at any domestic level).

On the other hand, one of the Indian ministers (Lalu Yadav) says adding such a professional league would be good for the sport and would increase competitiveness. Let's create a "sink or swim" professional, capitalistic culture he says. I've been thinking very hard about this for the last week, and in fact I somewhat agree with him. It's about time cricket was turned into a for-profit capitalistic league type environment. It would reduce complacency for some of the players and might help improve quality of youth player development etc. This could end up being similar to how they dealt with launch of English Premiership for Association Football (soccer) and made it into a true capitalistic system.

Can't ICC step in here and try to find a middle ground? FIFA had to work with UEFA as well as individual football associations in each country (FA in England, German, Spanish, Italian etc. boards) to allow credibility of FIFA to remain intact, as well as allowing capitalistic leagues in individual countries. There should not only be an Indian Cricket League for Twenty20, but also English Cricket League, Australian Cricket League and so on. Let's turn this into a free market system and increase professionalism for the sport worldwide. It could also help improve the worldwide popularity for cricket, I think.
 
Re: Indian Cricket League - death of traditional cricket as we know it?

I think 3 day and 4 day, tests will always be the standard of the sport.
The Twenty20 cricket may be a teaser to get the youth into the sport and then they will be interested in the longer Tests.

Of course, this is speculation is coming from a total novice and newbie to the sport.
 
Re: Indian Cricket League - death of traditional cricket as we know it?

Inzi, Mohammad Yusuf, Nicky Boje, Lance Kluesener are the latest big names to have signed.

What they've done with cricket players in India in ICL is literally going to rock cricket world in India. This is an earthquake of enormous proportions. There is no way there won't be a compromise about this in the future. BCCI and ICL will have to sit at a common table and ICC will have to act as an intermediary.
 
Re: Indian Cricket League - death of traditional cricket as we know it?

Chandu;175405 said:
Inzi, Mohammad Yusuf, Nicky Boje, Lance Kluesener are the latest big names to have signed.

What they've done with cricket players in India in ICL is literally going to rock cricket world in India. This is an earthquake of enormous proportions. There is no way there won't be a compromise about this in the future. BCCI and ICL will have to sit at a common table and ICC will have to act as an intermediary.
Click to expand...

It has started already. The sh*t is going to hit the fan here.

Kapil Dev sacked as chairman of cricket academy

The BCCI has struck right back in sacking Dev from being the chairman of the country's cricket academy and the board has also shut out the 48 Indian players that are taking part in the ICL.

I don't see either of the sides backing down here. The problem for the ICL, is that they have nowhere to play their matches as I seem to recall the BCCI blocking the ICL from playing at any of the grounds that they BCCI uses for international and domestic games.

This is only the start of what is going to be a bitter and spiteful situation. Let's hope it doesn't ruin cricket in India, cricket can't afford to have something like this tear apart one of the major cricketing countries in the world.
 
Re: Indian Cricket League - death of traditional cricket as we know it?

Ljp86;175425 said:
The problem for the ICL, is that they have nowhere to play their matches as I seem to recall the BCCI blocking the ICL from playing at any of the grounds that they BCCI uses for international and domestic games.
Click to expand...

Oops!! They seem to have overlooked that 1 minor technical detail? :D

If they start investing in new grounds, even with the kind of money they've got they will start on the road to bankruptcy. Otherwise they might take their show to university, college or even high school grounds!?!?!?! :D
 
Re: Indian Cricket League - death of traditional cricket as we know it?

Chandu;175455 said:
Oops!! They seem to have overlooked that 1 minor technical detail? :D

If they start investing in new grounds, even with the kind of money they've got they will start on the road to bankruptcy. Otherwise they might take their show to university, college or even high school grounds!?!?!?! :D
Click to expand...

The ICL is stuffed if they don't have any grounds to play on. This is supposed to be an elite type competition and I can't see players like Lara, Farhat or Inzamam playing on university or high schools.

Should they be unable to play on grounds used by the BCCI, the ICL may face the embarassing prospect of being forced to play at non-international/domestic standard grounds or even worse, they may be forced to play the competition out of the country of India, perhaps in Sharjah which is located in the UAE.
 
Re: Indian Cricket League - death of traditional cricket as we know it?

Chandu;171602 said:
Actually, I see this new group as an opportunity to grow the game. I hope this experiment ends up being very similar to how the new English Premiership was launched in 1992 with big financial backing from BSkyB, thereby dissolving the old English First Division. Of course, that was done very carefully with all executives from English FA being in the same meeting rooms, as an official league (which will be recognized by UEFA and FIFA). In this case, it is clear that this experiment is at direct odds with BCCI and ICC. Eventually, all of BCCI, MCC, Cricket Australia, PCB, ICC, whoever will need to take a hard look at themselves and see where their game is headed in terms of worldwide acceptance. They really need to study the adaptations English Premiership and other leagues had to make. They even need to study how Rugby Union modernized itself by making the game professional, launching then Super 12 competition etc.
Click to expand...

or it could be just like super league in Australia
 
Re: Indian Cricket League - death of traditional cricket as we know it?

Some very interesting developments.

ICL files petition against BCCI

The ICL has approached the Delhi High Court with a petition against the BCCI claiming that the BCCI does not represent cricket in India. The ICL has also accused the BCCi of having a monopoly of cricket in India and says it doesn't have the powers to threaten or ban playesr from playing in other leagues.

But then...

BCCI strikes back with "champions league" style tournament

The BCCI is planning a Twenty20 tournament that will involve different cricketing countries pitting domestic teams from each country against one another. The countries involved are believed to be India, Australia, South Africa and England. Players from Pakistan and Sri Lanka will also be able to play.

At the moment, it looks as if teams will be made from a pool of players with "franchises" able to buy players and bring them onto squads. Sounds quite complicated but has been in the works for a quite a few months and is the brainchild of James Sutherland from Cricket Australia and Lalit Modi from the BCCI.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Well, isn't this just very interesting? The first plans form the ICL to take the BCCI to court which is what a lot of people expected but then the BCCI throw back a brilliant counterpunch and announce what looks to be a very, very good idea. If this new tournament comes to fruition this could spell the end to the ICL, it would be a bitter blow to their cause and would be hard to come back from.

Will be extremely interesting to see more developments on this matter.
 
Re: Indian Cricket League - death of traditional cricket as we know it?

Ljp86;176017 said:
Will be extremely interesting to see more developments on this matter.
Click to expand...

Yes! As I said in my first post, I've been munching away on my popcorn watching this entertainment. I would like to see an international Twenty20 league, I'm all for it if it makes the game more popular. Whatever they do, they should follow FIFA's model about how it manages to get complicated international club and country events to fit in a single calendar, work with individual association etc.
 
Re: Indian Cricket League - death of traditional cricket as we know it?

The challenge on the monopoly of cricket may turn out to be the most damaging issue to come out of the whole thing. If the ICL follow through with it I can't see a court rejecting it.

That sort of talk has gone on for years in Australia in other sports like AFL & Rugby, but no big rich bloke was willing to fund a challenge.

Now this big rich Indian bloke does seem willing to fund such a challenge. If he is succesful the walls may come crumbling down on professional sport world wide.
 
Re: Indian Cricket League - death of traditional cricket as we know it?

New Zealand has banned its players from playing in the Indian Cricket League due to fears that the contest "could erode the official value of official series."

This comes after Stephen Fleming and Shane Bond were unofficially linked to the tournament which has already signed a few big names included Mohammad Yousuf to play in the series which will comprise of Twenty20 matches.

Justin Vaughan, New Zealand Cricket's (NZC) CEO had this to say about the banning of the New Zealand players from the rebel tournament,

"We depend upon the value of the media rights associated with official international events to provide a majority of our income. It is therefore in the best interests of New Zealand Cricket not to support unofficial events such as the ICL."

New Zealand bans players from playing in ICL

----------------------------------

Well, the ICL has lost another pool of players that it could have recruited from. It seems that the individual countries are trying to stay away from this rebel series rather than be a part of it.

Just more hurdles for the ICL to overcome at the moment. You would think that the major cricketing countries will soon ban their players from playing in this league, similar to what New Zealand has done. These hurdles are only going to get bigger for the ICL and they are sure to become more numerous also.

Starting to get difficult for them.
 
Re: Indian Cricket League - death of traditional cricket as we know it?

TigerGoldenBear;173993 said:
I think 3 day and 4 day, tests will always be the standard of the sport.
The Twenty20 cricket may be a teaser to get the youth into the sport and then they will be interested in the longer Tests.

Of course, this is speculation is coming from a total novice and newbie to the sport.
Click to expand...
100% correct and should always stay this way.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top