IPL 2018: Former KKR Director Compares U-19 Cricketers to Startups

Former Team director of the Kolkata Knight Riders, Joy Bhattacharya went a little out of the box and compared Indian U-19 players to start-ups. Joy was an integral member of the KKR side from 2008-2014. He was also the Project Director of the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017.

If you look at IPL auctions, U19 players are like start ups. They require investment and usually don't pay off immediately. The success rate is similar as well.

— Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) February 7, 2018

His tweet that gained much publicity in the micro-blogging site read,

“If you look at IPL auctions, U19 players are like startups. They require investment and usually don’t pay off immediately. The success rate is similar as well.”

The victorious Indian U19 team saw many takers during the IPL auction, which was held in Bangalore last month. The skipper of the team Prithvi Shaw was bought by Delhi DareDevils while pace sensation Kamlesh Nagarkoti will don Kolkata Knight Riders’ jersey. He will be joined by his teammates Shivam Mavi and the player of the tournament of the 2018 U19 world cup Shubman Gill.

The likes of Virat Kohli and Manish Pandey went on to make a name for themselves in the IPL. While on the other side of the road, someone like an Unmukt Chand failed to seize the opportunities with both hands. The exposure, coupled with hefty pay is tempting for sure.

Dravid on the impact of IPL

India U-19 coach, Rahul Dravid’s recent comments on the impact of IPL on the youngsters, summed up the scenario. He said the week leading to the auction was a little uncomfortable, as the players had a lot of thoughts.

But he added it didn’t take them much time to get back in the groove after a certain point.

“That week during the IPL auction was a bit stressful but credit to the boys, once that was done, they came back to practice and switched on. Only those three days I was a bit worried,” the legendary Dravid said on Monday.

Here is the newsfeed:

ICC U-19 World Cup 2018: Prithvi Shaw Thanks Fans for the Support Throughout the World Cup

U-19 World Cup 2018: We Even Forced Rahul Dravid Sir to Dance – Shubman Gill