IPL needs to deliver like a global leader

The Indian Premier League is among global leaders in sports leagues, and its payscales are in line with that. If the salaries appear humongous in rupee terms, no one should begrudge what cricketers earn as it’s they who are bringing in the revenue. The fact that Indian cricketers are raking in the lion’s share of top salaries serves one of the founding principles of the league, which in 10 years has sustained itself despite image hits from betting scandals. IPL is finding a new direction in its 11th season with the eight teams, including two back from banishment, aiming to fill their armoury afresh from the weekend’s auction that saw 580 players back in the common pool. If IPL manages to keep off the scandals of old, the scenario can be much more sanguine as a new TV rights deal has taken cash inflows to stratospheric levels.

The IPL auctions have been criticised in the past for resembling cattle fairs. However, they represent the most transparent process even if they appear to be a lottery for players, some of whom might have genuine grievances about not being picked at all. World cricket’s top players have been adequately rewarded by the highest paying cricket league. Why, even an ageing Chris Gayle, who found no initial takers, was grabbed at a bargain price and his explosive batting can continue for a few more years. The strokes of good fortune do outnumber the hard luck stories. The teams, quite experienced at the auction process now, are said to be using more data analytics to base their bidding, and the inclusion of shades of scientific evaluations that take IPL nearer to American pro sport cannot be bad, even as players are expected to perform in keeping with their high salaries.

Among the IPL jackpot tales is the one for fast bowler Jaydev Unadkat, who becomes the costliest Indian player of the year at Rs 11.5 crores a season. Almost all Team India players have deals that will make them rupee millionaires many times over. While there’s no guarantee that fabulous paydays for players will stanch corruption, the league has to be seen taking more stringent steps to root out even a whiff of spot and match-fixing that cost the IPL severe image hits, and even led to Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals being banned for two years. This is crucial as the IPL goes more global, with a player from Nepal getting a look-in and two more Afghans bringing a more exotic flavour. While no one expects the highest technical standards in the T20 format, the quality of the games can’t be allowed to fall as rich players are getting blasé. It’s poetic justice then that bowlers, who are the game’s workhorses, seem to have invited greater attention in this year’s auction.