BCCI Brand's Indian Premium League On a Crossroads With the ICC

The BCCI is adamant about the availability of signed players in their respective countries for international tours, regardless of whether it overlaps with the IPL season. To alleviate the issue, the BCCI officially requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to set up a time period, particularly for the IPL season. However, the ICC was not on board with the idea.

ICC Wants to Have the Last Word

ICC has been trying to keep tabs on all existing and upcoming private Twenty20 (T20) leagues around the world. Their motive could create a rift between India and the world. As of late, the ICC wants to manage the IPL as well, which has understandably not sat well with the BCCI.

a move that could drive a further, wider wedge between India and the rest of the world. The council wants to establish a uniform policy for all the leagues in the world. The new reform includes:

Establishing control on many private T20 leagues existing around the world

Laying out a uniform guideline on how these leagues are to operate

Power to change the format and player policies

Become a policymaker for other international cricket boards

BCCI Takes a Stand Against ICC

According to a statement released by the BCCI, “The IPL is an Indian domestic tournament and just the way the ICC has no locus standing in a tournament like the Ranji Trophy, it will have no say in the IPL as well”.

Should the ICC try and tinker with a property like IPL, those who understand how the industry functions say: “All hell will break loose”.

The Indian cricket board seems to be empathizing with BCCI's opinion in this regard. The former rejected an events sanctioning group besides which TOI also agreed with the BCCI’s verdict. However, they are concerned about the diminishing power of the board in front of the council. A few sources reveal that "It’s clear that there are forces that believe this Indian cricket administration is most vulnerable right now. The members are left without powers and it’s the right time to make inroads into a strong Indian market."

More sources suggest that “Big Bash too is Cricket Australia’s domestic tournament, just like the Sheffield Shield”. But the thing is, one of their players takes a break right in the middle of a Big Bash season and decides to play the Bangladesh Premier League for a handsome salary and Cricket Australia can’t do anything about it. It’s not the same in IPL. When the IPL is played, cricket — globally — comes to a standstill."

ICC's Interest in IPL

The ICC understands that the IPL is India's most valuable brand. Considering their overall disinterest in the Ranji Trophy, the council's excessive interest in the IPL is shocking. Moreover, any change initiated by its strategy group is put to vote as it is run in front of the chief executives’ and board members. “And in recent months, majority of ICC members have chosen to vote against India. That’s where the worries lie," sources stated.