According to reports, the Saudi Arabian government has contacted IPL owners in an effort to establish the richest T20 league in the Gulf. The league might agree to let the Indian players play. The IPL is still the richest T20 league in cricket at the moment.
No cricket board has been able to threaten the BCCI’s dominance, and the IPL continues to be the most watched league in the world even though there are several T20 leagues, T10 Leagues, and The Hundred being played in different countries across the world. But that might alter, and the BCCI’s dominance might soon be challenged.
According to reports, the Saudi Arabian government wants to create its own T20 league. Saudi Arabia does have the ability to draw top athletes given its wealth of resources.
According to smh.com.au, the Saudi government’s representatives have already taken the initial step and have spoken with the IPL clubs’ owners.
As stated by Arab News last month, Prince Saud bin Mishal Al-Saud, the head of the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation, said, “Our goal is to create a sustainable industry for locals and expats living in the Kingdom and make Saudi Arabia a global cricketing destination.”
The talks that have taken place are not well recognised. The players from India may be permitted to compete in that league, the article adds.
Indian players are not permitted to play in any other T20 league than the IPL, according to BCCI regulations. To participate in any other league, a player must entirely sever all links with BCCI.
The IPL teams’ owners do have franchises in other leagues, as far as investment goes. It’s interesting to note that individuals who control a team in the IPL also fully own the SA20 franchises run by Cricket South Africa. Franchises may invest in other leagues notwithstanding BCCI regulations.
If the Saudi league wants Indian players to play in it, BCCI support is required. Even if there is more money involved in the new T20 league than in the IPL, should the BCCI reject its player, it will not be able to compete with the IPL’s dominance.
Most international players are still accessible to play in the IPL because there isn’t much international cricket played during the IPL, with the exception of Pakistan, whose players aren’t allowed to take part in the lucrative league. For the Saudi government’s league to be a success, the Indian players are essential.
