'Wherever there is more money, players flourish' - Ravi Ashwin on significance of Zimbabwe doing well in cricket to prosper

Star Indian spinner Ravi Ashwin said that it is important for Zimbabwe to do well in cricket for them to flourish. He referred to an article that he read about the world cricket scenario, highlighting that wherever there are more money and employment opportunities, there are better chances of prospering.

Ashwin pointed out that all the players in India’s 15-member squad who are sent out to Zimbabwe for the ongoing three-match ODI series have a bigger paycheque in the Indian Premier League (IPL) than the entire prize money of Zimbabwe’s T20 League. He also stressed the fact that Zimbabwe were once unable to pay player salaries but have now cleared all the dues with a change in management and have resurged ever since.

“Read an amazing article on the world cricket scenario,” said Ashwin on his YouTube channel. “It says that wherever there is more money, employment opportunities are better, and there are better chances of players flourishing. For example, India has sent a 15-member squad to Zimbabwe. Washington Sundar got injured, and Shahbaz Ahmed has been sent as a last-minute replacement.”

If Zimbabwe does well in this series, they will get accolades: Ravi Ashwin

“Shahbaz Ahmed is sitting on a good contract at RCB. I don’t know his exact salary details, but he must be definitely earning in crores. On the other hand, the entire prize money of Zimbabwe’s T20 league, which is called the National Premier League (NPL) is $10,000 (₹8.50 lakh). Even the base price of Indian players for the IPL is more than ₹8.5 lakh,” added Ashwin.

“If Zimbabwe does well in this series, they will get accolades, and it will be good for their cricket,” Ashwin further expressed on the subject. Ashwin also spoke about women’s cricket, saying that women’s cricket is also on the rise in India, with the team winning a silver medal in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham earlier in the month. He reckons that former star Indian batter Mithali Raj wanting to play in Women’s IPL is a welcome sign.