IPL In Tug Of War With National Teams

By Dinouk Colombage

The Indian Premier League may not be the most popular competition amongst the international viewing public Australia has gone so far as to not even broadcast the tournament. However, amongst the players the IPL continues to offer far more attractive options than their countries.
High salaries, maximum of two months of cricket and the glitz and glamour of Bollywood at their feet; for any cricketer this would be an enticing option. For many that is the case as more and more international stars choosing the IPL over national commitments.
Sri Lankans were one of the first countries to lose a star to the tournament with the premature retirement of Lasith Malinga from test cricket citing injury concerns. Malinga retired from test cricket back in 2011 stating that a serve knee injury was threatening in his entire career. At the time of his retirement he explained that he was concerned the workload in test cricket could see him suffer a career ending injury.
Of course many in the public and media disregarded this excuses believing that the ‘slinga’ had chosen the riches that are promised in the IPL. Sri Lanka Cricket did not help his case with stories arising that doctors had assured him a managed workload could see him play all three formats. Furthermore the then chief selector, Duleep Mendis, gave the bowler an ultimatum saying that either he returns from India to under rehabilitation or risk not playing for the country again.
Nothing has transpired from what now seems to have been a collection of empty threats, Malinga continues to play the IPL and more and more players are following in his footsteps. Last week many Sri Lankans were aghast to see vice-captain Angelo Mathews bowling in the IPL, despite being told by chief selection Ashantha de Mel that he would have to give up bowling if he hoped to have a prolonged career.
Mathews, like Malinga, has also suffered a bout of injuries which has seen him have a disrupted run in the international team over the last two years. Of course when de Mel was approached about Mathews’ decision to bowl in the IPL he responded by saying any further injury would see his spot in the national team come under scrutiny.
However, unlike Malinga’s decision to retire from test cricket to prolong his career some international stars have shown a willingness to choose the IPL over national duties. In 2011 Eoin Morgan was unsure of his place in the England test team. In a childish outburst to the media Morgan expressed his view that if he was not selected for the first test he would return to India and play in the remaining matches in the IPL.
Eventually the Irish born player was selected in the tests, and since has done little to justify his selection in the team. Was Morgan always going to be selected or was the threat of him walking away to the riches of the IPL enough to blackmail the English Cricket Board in to giving him a chance? This answer may never be known, but what is known is that more and more players are finding the IPL a more attractive option.
There is no single entity to blame for this new direction being taken by the players. The International Cricket Council has shown an unwillingness to stand up to the Board of Control for Cricket in India or the IPL, unofficially a window has been given for the tournament in the international schedule.
Despite players being expected to turn up for national duty ahead of the IPL, most tours are being now scheduled around this tournament. The ICC has not recognised that along with the money the shorter time frame of the IPL is a draw factor. The elongated home seasons along with the never ending overseas tours means players are away from their families for longer periods of time. Sri Lanka was away from home from December 2011 to March 2012, not an attractive option for many in the squad.
The increased number of matches could mean a greater chance of injury, which would see replacement players’ steps up. Mitchell Johnson is an example; having suffered an injury in November 2011 the left arm fast bowler has since seen his spot taken by a collection of other players. His chances of a return to the national side now look slim to none.
Similarly the cricket boards must all look at ways in which they could keep their players committed to the national setup. While many boards would be unable to match the salaries offered by the IPL, better care and development of players would be welcomed.
A senior player with the Sri Lankan national side told The Sunday Leader that the ongoing politics in the Sri Lankan Cricket board was encouraging players to look for alternative options. A greater control over these issues is a must if players are to remain with their national teams.
The IPL, although interested in profit making, should realise that their attitude towards the national teams is resulting in a poorer image overseas. Countries such as Australia and England have very little interest in the tournament; a change in their approach to the game would go a long way in improving their image.
However, the final decision comes down to the individual player. At that point in time he will have to decide whether he wants to play in the IPL or the national team. With the current trend that is increasing, it appears less and less likely that players will be able to be committed to both arenas.