'That is not the case'- David Richardson on reports of ICC interfering in the IPL

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been the envy of every cricketing nation on the globe. Ever since its inception in 2008, the cash-rich league has grown stronger and stronger. While the leagues in other countries are struggling to make profits on a consistent basis, the IPL has been an exception by miles. In 2017,  Star Sports spent $2.55 billion on five years of exclusive broadcasting and digital rights for the IPL – a five-times increase on the annual value of the previous deal.

In 2017 only, mobile manufacturers VIVO had retained the IPL title sponsorship for the next five years with a whopping deal of Rs 2199 crore, a mammoth 554 per cent more than the previous contract. The way the other companies have wanted to get associated with the league has more or less made it clear that no other T20 league in this world is bigger than IPL. The Big Bash League, the Pakistan Super League or even the Caribbean Premier League have managed to enjoy some success but they are still far behind IPL.

Every summer, the cricket fans witness the unique extravaganza where almost every top player from the cricketing world sets his foot in India to play in front of the electric crowd. Well, recently there were rumours suggesting that the International Cricket Council (ICC) is keen to get involved in the functioning of the league and have a say in it. Given IPL’s success, many believed that there was some credibility in the rumour.

However, ICC Chief Executive David Richardson on Monday said the governing body of the game does not want to interfere in the running of the IPL. He also insisted that the motive of the ICC is to ensure other T20 leagues across the globe operate within a consistent framework.

“We are fortunate to have some outstanding T20 leagues, including the IPL, which set the gold standard for operations globally and this working group (of ICC) has taken into account those standards when developing the draft set of regulations. Our primary objective is to ensure that other leagues around the world put in place the same minimum criteria and operate within a consistent framework,” Richardson said in a statement.

“That is not the case. As the chief executives’ committee and the ICC board were advised over the past few days, the development of the regulations has been led by the working group, on behalf of its members, to ensure the long-term health and reputation of the sport internationally and domestically,” he added while responding to the rumours as per reports in India TV.

Function of working group:

Richardson once again reiterated the function of the ICC’s working group that was formed last year to consider sanctioning of events and player release. “The primary purpose of the group was to address members’ concerns regarding the proliferation of T20s and other short-form leagues around the world. These have created challenges to and conflicts with the international playing calendar and often rely on a disproportionate number of international players,” Richardson said.

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