Michael Clarke feels Warner, Smith will keep on coming to India to play IPL

Recently, there have been a turmoil going on within Cricket Australia (CA) regarding their players’ participation in the Indian Premier League (IPL). They are doing their level best to keep their ‘premium’ players away from the Indian Premier League, and in order to achieve that they are not leaving any stone unturned. But Australia’s ‘A category’ players like Steve Smith and David Warner are hardly paying any heed to it, and former Australian national team captain Michael Clarke does not expect things to change.

According to a report released by the Fairfax media, Cricket Australia are speaking to their prime players individually in order to keep them away from the Indian cricket extravaganza. Fairfax media revealed as many as five names whom the Australian cricket board have contacted individually. It includes the fast-bowling trio of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and the two IPL skippers David Warner and Steve Smith. It was reported that the CA verbally offered them three-year contract rather than the standardized one-year contract if they were to sacrifice their IPL contracts.

Clarke’s opinion

But the former baggy greens leader is confident that the Aussie stars who have set the IPL on fire, will keep on visiting India every year to attend the annual cricket fiesta. During a promotional event, he was heard saying “Warner will be coming to the IPL. Smith will be coming as well. They love it over here. I don’t know one Australia cricketer, who does not have a good time after playing in the IPL. You will continue to see Australians cricketers being a part of the IPL.” He further shared a light-hearted moment by saying “I am certainly coming back, not to play though (laughs).”

Praising the once-in-a-year tournament by terming it as “wonderful”, he added “I don’t think it’s fair for me to comment on something I don’t know enough about. I was given every opportunity in my career to play in IPL. Unfortunately, injuries restricted my career in IPL. I was fortunate to play one year with Pune Warriors back then and enjoyed. It’s a wonderful tournament and a great thing for cricket. There’s room for three formats.”

Michael Clarke was seen on the Extraa Innings T20 studio as an analyst and was heard in the commentary box. When asked if he has now become an IPL activist or not, he said “I am not batting against anybody as I am retired. Cricket Australia was always supportive with me.”

Clarke on why he loves IPL

Clarke further mentioned the names of few young cricketers of India, whom he feels have got the ability to go the distance. Revealing the ones who grabbed his attention, he said “Pandya brothers (Hardik and Krunal), Nitish Rana from Mumbai Indians and Rishabh Pant from Delhi Daredevils. There’s so much of talent in Indian cricket and that’s why I love IPL. IPL exposes talents at a young age. Big Bash League (BBL) has done exactly the same.”

While Clarke is in support of Australia national team players playing in the IPL, since he feels it will bring their all-round development, CA does not feel the same. CA is in antipodes with their former leader in this matter, as they are willing to go to any extent to prevent their ‘cream of the crop’ from indulging in the India Premier League.