There are 5 reasons why PSL is not in the same league as IPL. Indian Premier League (IPL), which commenced in 2008, has completed successful 12 seasons down the line. In fact, multiple leagues around the world have taken a cue from the IPL. IPL has set a benchmark.
Pakistan Super League (PSL), which started in 2016, has completed 4 seasons so far. In the first couple of seasons, there were five teams while the next two another team was added.
Over the years, the Indian T20 league has played its part in the development of the shortest format of the game. There is a huge gap between the quality and the standard of the IPL and the PSL.
Here are 5 reasons why IPL is where it is today and PSL is yet to meet the standards set by its Indian counterpart.
1. More money
We all know that BCCI is the richest cricket board in the world. They make deals in millions and billions. Broadcasting rights for the IPL have been given to Star India for a period of five years, starting 2018 for a staggering INR 16,347.50 crore ($2.55 billion), meaning that the broadcaster will be paying the BCCI about INR 54.5 crore per IPL game.
In IPL, there is a bidding system where franchises fight it out on an auction table. PSL keeps its players in a draft in different categories. Platinum Category is the best category a player can get in the PSL. In that category, the player can get a minimum of $160,000 and a maximum of $250,000. Moreover, each team can pick no more than two foreign or even local players in this category.
There is no maximum salary cap in the IPL. Ben Stokes earned INR 27 crore from just two auctions in 2017 (INR 14.5 crore) and 2018 (INR 12.5 crore). Hence, most overseas players get top bids and end up earning a lot more than they do in the PSL.
2. Better crowds and stadiums
IPL has become a part of the Indian cricket system. Even non-cricket followers are getting involved and are relating to the IPL which has meant that there are bigger crowds for every game.
Undoubtedly, you will find most stadiums jam-packed for every IPL game. Even if the games don’t involve their favorite team or a city, you will find sell-out crowds in IPL. This adds color and allows even domestic players to perform in front of huge crowds.
The facilities at most Indian stadiums are top-notch as well. The outfields and the pitches prepared are of the highest quality. But the stadiums at PSL have witnessed low turn-outs and that has been a concern for the organizers as well.
3. No international schedule during the IPL window
In fact, during the IPL, international cricket bodies tend to avoid scheduling international matches.
England is the only country, which has started its international summer in earlier may. Hence, one of the teams ends up missing the back half of the IPL. However, it is changing as well. Next year, England’s season will start in the first week of June which will allow its players to stay back for the entire season of the IPL. Most international teams prefer not to keep any international assignments during the IPL.
PSL is mostly played in February and March which is mostly the back end of the summer in three countries of Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand. Moreover, with India constantly playing, it keeps another team busy as well. Hence, the players’ availability is a big issue for PSL.
4. World’s best coaches are a part of IPL
Be it an international side or a franchise playing a T20 league, coaches and mentors play an important role. Coaches have become an integral part of every cricket team in the world. All the top and leading men from the coaching circuit are a part of the IPL.
Gary Kirsten, Tom Moody, Anil Kumble, Sachin Tendulkar, Mahela Jayewardene Ricky Ponting, Trevor Bayliss, John Wright, Jonty Rhodes, Allan Donald and many more are or have been a part of the IPL coaching set-up.
Moreover, where will you find the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Mahela Jayewardene, John Wright and Jonty Rhodes working together in the support staff? That simply underlines the quality and the standard of the IPL and why players prefer playing it.
5. The scouting process is better in IPL
While the tournament is played for two months in a year and the auction takes place a few months before the season starts, the scouts are out busy throughout the year. They are at task throughout the year, be it international or domestic cricket.
Multiple Indian stars have come up the ranks through the IPL and the scouting process is one of the reasons for it. Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Yuzvendra Chahal are multiple Indian stars who’ve come up the ranks through the IPL and many more have benefited and initially got IPL contracts largely due to the scouts. Thus, in this context, IPL is miles ahead when compared to the PSL.
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