Following the announcement of England’s squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed that selected players must return from the ongoing IPL to participate in the home series against Pakistan, starting from May 22nd. England’s team managing director, Rob Key, stated that captain Jos Buttler desired the withdrawal of England players from the IPL before the playoffs.
However, this decision has sparked controversy, with Gavaskar urging the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to take decisive action against foreign players leaving the tournament early. Despite immediate discussions between the BCCI and ECB, no official changes have been announced regarding the plans for England players.
As the departure date for the home series approaches in preparation for the T20 World Cup, Gavaskar has advocated for strong measures from IPL franchises and the BCCI. He suggests that IPL teams should reduce salaries for players who have been fully compensated for the entire season and that the BCCI should penalize the cricket boards that receive a 10% commission for making their players available for the IPL.
Gavaskar contends that players should prioritize their countries, but withdrawing from the IPL after assuring franchises of their availability for the full season represents a breach of trust and a financial loss for the teams. He emphasizes that franchises should deduct a significant portion of player fees and deny the commission to the respective cricket boards. Furthermore, he highlights that this 10% commission is unique to the IPL and not offered in other T20 leagues worldwide. Gavaskar questions whether the BCCI’s generosity is appreciated or exploited.
