Adam Gilchrist Believes IPL Monopolising Global Cricket Is A 'Little Bit Dangerous'

Legendary cricketer Adam Gilchrist has cautioned Cricket Australia (CA) to take notice of the speculations that Australian batting mainstay David Warner may forego the local Big Bash League (BBL) this season in favour of more lucrative competitions like the United Arab Emirates T20 league. 

According to a story in The Australian, 35-year-old Warner wants to forgo the Big Bash League this year and has asked for permission to participate in the first UAE T20 League, whose dates are expected to conflict with the BBL early in the next year. 

Warner’s reported decision “is a blow to Cricket Australia’s plans to have its Test stars available for BBL-12,” according to sen.com.au on Wednesday. Three IPL franchises — Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Delhi Capitals — have made significant investments in the UAE T20 league.

Adam Gilchrist Worried About IPL’s Monopolization Of IPL Events

Adam Gilchrist, a former Australia wicketkeeper and batsman, chimed in on the discussion by saying he is worried about the IPL’s monopolization of international T20 events. 

“I think it would almost be commercial suicide for them (Cricket Australia) to allow a player like him (Warner) to go head-to-head up against their own competition,” Gilchrist told SEN’s Whateley on Wednesday. 

“They can’t force David Warner to play in the BBL, I understand that, but to let him then go off — or another player, let’s not single out Warner because there will be other players on the radar — it’s all part of this global dominance that these IPL franchises are starting to create given they own a number of teams in the Caribbean Premier League. 

“They own all six teams I believe in the new South African tournament that’s coming up, which will be locking horns for commercial space and airtime with the Big Bash (League),” added Adam Gilchrist.

“It’s getting a little bit dangerous the grip that it’s having to monopolise that ownership and the ownership of the players and their talents and where they can and can’t play. 

“David Warner, again, using him as an example, we can’t question his commitment to Australian cricket over the years, he’s carved out one of the great careers.

If he rides off into the sunset and says, ‘Sorry Australian cricket, I’m going to become a gun for hire for my Indian franchise team in various tournaments’ you can’t question him on that, that’s his prerogative and he’s done everything he needs to get the profile and get that market value.” 

Warner is allegedly leaving the BBL in large part because Cricket Australia has not lifted the leadership ban it placed on him following the “sandpaper-gate debacle” that occurred during the 2018 Test series in South Africa. 

Allan Border and Greg Chappell, among other current and former greats, have called for the ban to be reversed so that Warner may coach a BBL team. 

Adam Gilchrist Worried About New Generation Of Australian Cricket

Adam Gilchrist is also afraid that the next generation may decide to quit the Australian system and play in other new leagues throughout the world, similar to how Warner did. 

“It’s the new younger player coming in that starts to make those noises where it’ll be really challenging. Perhaps it’s the first example where David Warner doesn’t sign a contract with Cricket Australia at all, he just plays for a match fee. 

“He goes and plays whatever he wants but says, ‘I’m available for every Test match, for every one-day international and every T20 international’ by way of example, I’ll be there for you in national colours.

But other than that, I’m going to play my club, my franchise cricket, wherever I want to, knowing that none of those big tournaments will be clashing with international cricket,” added Gilchrist. 

Also Read: David Warner Could Ditch BBL in Favour of UAE T20 Tournament Backed by IPL Franchises: Report