Several Australian players were scared to sledge Virat Kohli or other Indian players to save IPL contracts: Michael Clarke

Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the biggest T20 cricket leagues across the globe. Moreover, overseas, as well as domestic players, dream to play in this tournament. It is helpful for them as far as their experience is concerned. Also, they get financially strong. But, Michael Clarke has a relatively different opinion over IPL. He feels that the cash-rich league has made Aussie players less aggressive against the Indian players.

IPL came into existence back in 2008 and since then there’s been no stopping it. The tournament had a roller coaster ride and went through several obstacles. But, it never got abandoned for a single season. There is no doubt over the fact that the overseas players are the heart of the tournament, who have gained lots of popularity between the fans. Players like Matthew Hayden, Michael Hussey, David Warner, Steve Smith, Clarke himself and many others have earlier featured in the IPL.

Michael Clarke gives his opinion on the changed nature of Aussie players

Now, Michael Clarke, the former Aussie skipper has opened up saying that everyone is aware that India is quite strong with respect to the financial part of the game. He reckons IPL is the main reason that the international teams have gone against their nature due to which Team India has prospered in the last decade. The Aussies, as well as other country players, are scared to sledge Virat Kohli and Indian players as they have to play with them in IPL.

“Everybody knows how powerful India are in regards to the financial part of the game, internationally or domestically with the IPL. I feel that Australian cricket, and probably every other team over a little period, went the opposite and actually sucked up to India. They were too scared to sledge Kohli or the other Indian players because they had to play with them in April,” Michael Clarke said during a chat show Big Sports Breakfast.

Moreover, the 39-year-old felt that the players are always focussed on playing in IPL and they don’t want to sledge Kohli to increase their chances of earning a hefty IPL contract. As per Clarke, there was a time when Aussie cricketers went a lot softer against Indian players.

“The players were like: “I’m not going to sledge Kohli, I want him to pick me for Bangalore so I can make my $1 million US for my six weeks. I feel like that’s where Australia went through that little phase where our cricket become a little bit softer or not as hard as we’re accustomed to seeing,” the former Aussie skipper added.