The 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League is just a few days away from its commencement with the group stage coming into action. Meanwhile, the critics have also started taking a dig at the tournament for occupying a big window for organizing the tournament. As per many critics, it is harming the international cricket schedule.
Back in 2021 many big cricket analysts and former cricketers said that England lost to Australia in the Ashes by 4-0 due to players playing in the Indian Premier League. Recently, Lawrence Booth, an English journalist took a dig at the cash-rich league stating that it is now affecting the schedule of international cricket.
Ravi Ashwin hits out on IPL 2022 critics
Now, Ravichandran Ashwin has come forward taking a dig on all the critics, who are currently against the fascinating T20 tournament. He said that there are no such disadvantages as having a big T20 tournament. As per him, this doesn’t affect the schedule of international cricket that is already decided.
“What are the disadvantages because of this two-week earlier start when it comes to other countries? They (international sides) would have already scheduled their international calendar. For instance, we have England and Australia are playing few games against different countries during the IPL. Even Sri Lanka has few international matches during the IPL window,” Ashwin began.
“But mostly, South Africa, Australia, England, and New Zealand, schedule their international games based on IPL fixtures. This year, New Zealand is not having any international matches during IPL.”
Ashwin compared IPL with the football tournament English Premier League. He added that the picture of football changed after the introduction of the EPL which holds games mostly on weekends.
“Lawrence Booth (English journalist) had tweeted about IPL fixtures saying it takes almost one-third (one-sixth) of the year. Even the English Premier League happens and almost has a six-month window.
“The players will have more gaps between matches and they will have only one or two matches per week. Of course, cricket getting to that stage will always remain a huge question mark. But IPL as a league has all the potential to take cricket into that stage for sure. And all the cricket viewers, cricket nations, stakeholders know this already,” said Ashwin.
