Ravi Shastri and Tom Moody feel it is “inevitable” that IPL teams will start influencing world cricket by signing players on long-term contracts that will see them participate in multiple leagues. Last week, FICA confirmed that there have been informal talks between some franchises and players about the possibility of such contracts, but none have been officially signed yet.
Ex-SRH coach Moody said on ESPNcricinfo –
“We have seen that slowly shift in the last couple of years, when IPL teams look to buy other franchises around the world. The reason we start talking about this is because each IPL team is looking for a bigger footprint in the game.”
Moody added – “It might not be financially beneficial for them to be doing that, but they are looking at the long term benefit of having a greater stake of the time in the calendar year.” Ex-India coach Shastri agreed and highlighted the possibility of international cricket being geared around World Cup tournaments.
Shastri said –
“I have always said that the bilateral cricket will suffer, there is no question about that. With the leagues spreading around the world, it’s going to go the football way.”
Shastri added – “The teams will assemble just before the World Cup, they play a little bit of bilateral, clubs will release the players and you play the mega World Cup. So it’s going to go that way in the long run whether you like it or not.”
