‘It’s inevitable’ – Moody, Shastri on IPL groups influencing world cricket
Former India coach Shastri agreed and highlighted the potential of worldwide cricket being geared round World Cup tournaments. “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. 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.
Shastri admitted he wasn’t troubled by any of this. “I do not really feel dangerous in any respect,” but he did add that “one of many schools of the sport will endure. I feel will probably be 50-over cricket.”
Moody went a step further and suggested the one-day format might even be replaced, by T10 cricket, and that continued T20 expansion could lead to just a handful of countries playing Test cricket.
“That actually tells me that there are solely going to be few nations which might be going to be enjoying Test cricket, so simple as that,” Moody said. “Rest are going to give attention to white-ball cricket, and I’ll add one other format which will substitute the 50-over cricket and that could be T10. I see that as a possible, not a game-changer however a motion in direction of the following step forward for the IPL to think about in the event that they wish to increase what’s an extremely profitable property.”
All this leads to a situation where players may have to choose between their country and their club and Shastri, for one, understands why they might be tempted to pick club. Especially those who are unable to make it to the highest level. India has an abundance of such players but whether the BCCI will allow them to participate in various leagues is still a topic up for discussion.
“Look on the quantity of individuals on this nation, we’re 1.4 billion, and solely 11 can play for India,” Shastri said. “What will the others do? They have a chance to play white-ball cricket, it is their power, globally, throughout completely different franchises on the earth. Grab that chance. It’s widespread sense, it is their dwelling. It’s their earnings. Nobody will be capable of deprive them of this. They [players] aren’t contracted by BCCI. What stops them going?
“Nothing like getting exposure. How much do they want to protect their own league? You’ve got to see where they come from, and rightly so. This is our league and to protect this league is paramount as far as our interest goes. But by letting certain players go, it’s not going to affect the league in any way.”