Adam Gilchrist questions the growing dominance of IPL franchises in world cricket

Adam Gilchrist questions the growing dominance of Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises in world cricket!

The comments from the former Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist come in the backdrop of reports claiming that Australian batter David Warner might opt out of the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) this season and sign up for a more lucrative United Arab Emirates T20 league.

Gilchrist said that the current monopolization of the BCCI-backed IPL is becoming dangerous.

“They can’t force David Warner to play in BBL, I understand that, but to let him then go off or another player, let’s not single out Warner because there will be other players on the radar it’s all part of this global dominance that these IPL franchises are starting to create given they own a number of teams in Caribbean Premier League,” Gilchrist said in SEN’s Whateley radio show.

“It’s getting a little bit dangerous the grip that it’s having to monopolize that ownership and the ownership of the players and their talents and where they can and can’t play,” he added.

It is pertinent to mention here that three IPL franchises, Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Delhi Capitals, have all invested in teams in the UAE T20 league.

“If he (Warner) rides off into the sunset and says, ‘Sorry Australian cricket, I’m going to become a gun for hire for my Indian franchise team in various tournaments’ you can’t question him on that, that’s his prerogative and he’s done everything he needs to get the profile and get that market value,” Gilchrist said.

“It’s the new younger player coming in that starts to make those noises where it’ll be really challenging,” he added.

Gilchrist represented Australia in 96 Tests, 287 ODIs, and 13 T20Is.

The three-time World Cup winner suggested that the Australian cricket board take cognizance of the matter as more cricketers could take Warner’s path sooner than later.

He had earlier played for IPL franchises such as the now-defunct Deccan Chargers and Kings XI Punjab, now renamed Punjab Kings.

Gilchrist led the Deccan Chargers to their maiden IPL title in 2009.