Former Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist suggests BCCI to allow the Indian cricketers to take part in T20 leagues outside the country.
Adam Gilchrist On Indians Not Playing Foreign Leagues
At present, BCCI doesn’t allow any of its players to participate in overseas T20 leagues like Australia’s Big Bash League to maintain the exclusivity of IPL.
“It will be wonderful (if the Indian players are allowed to play in overseas T20 leagues), I personally feel that it won’t diminish the IPL, it will only grow them as a brand. If they (Indian players) can play in Australia or South Africa,” Gilchrist told reporters.
“But the challenge is we are all playing our domestic seasons at the same time, so that is a hard thing, isn’t it?,” he added.
Gilchrist’s suggestion came a day after he questioned the growing dominance of the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises in world cricket.
“I’m not criticising the IPL, but why won’t Indian players come and play in the Big Bash league? I’ve never had an open and honest answer: Why are some leagues accessing every player in the world? No Indian player plays in any other T20 league. I am not saying in a provocative sense, but is that a fair question?” he asked.
“I really want to highlight (that the) six seasons (I played in the IPL) I loved it. It was a great experience. It is the premier T20 competition in the world, but it is important to allow other boards and countries to prosper as well,” he added.
Gilchrist Praised Rishabh Pant
Gilchrist once again praised India’s swashbuckling wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant and urged the Indian board to be patient with him when things go away.
“He (Pant) is one of the most exciting cricketers to watch, I think he just lights up a stage, and makes an electric atmosphere when he is playing, that is wonderful,” Gilchrist said.
“The BCCI, the management, and the selectors will just need to be patient with him. A few innings if he doesn’t score they shouldn’t be too harsh on him, because you don’t want to suppress the natural flair,” he added.
