Virtually No or Very Little International Cricket During IPL Window From 2019 - Rahul Johri

The Indian Premier League is only going to get better and bigger in the near future, as BCCI CEO Rahul Johri revealed the Indian board has managed to convince all other boards that there will be virtually no or very little international cricket during the IPL window.

While the league has been the biggest in the game since its inception in 2008, some big players not participating in it or leaving it midway was a big issue in the first ten seasons. Even in the last season, Ben Stokes, who later got adjudged the Most Valuable Player, could not play the IPL final due to international commitments.

Rising Pune Supergiants would have surely loved to see the all-rounder playing in the game after losing the title-decider by just one run. But the issue is likely to be wiped out in the coming seasons with BCCI managing to convince their counterparts from other countries.

“The other boards understand the opportunity of the IPL. They want their players to be available. In the FTP from 2019, there’s virtually no or very little international cricket during that period in the calendar. Our endeavour is to overcome even that little international cricket. That is a testimony to the strength of the IPL,” Johri told The Times of India.

One of the biggest hindrances came from England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), as its international season starts mid-May. Last year, several England players had to return to the country for the international duties.

However, with their Test captain Joe Root all set to go under the hammer during the auction and director of cricket Andrew Strauss stating that the players would be allowed to play in India, the signs are promising.

Another issue was the BCCI’s reluctance to allow its players to participate in overseas T20 leagues.

Speaking on it, Johri said:

“Everyone would like the Indian players in their leagues too. But if we allow our domestic players then our domestic cricket will be harmed. For the health of global cricket, a strong India is very important. Everybody understands the position of BCCI.”

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