Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has strongly supported the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), responding to recent criticism of franchise cricket’s impact on International cricket schedules.
The issue gained attention during and after the 2026 IPL season, especially in England, where former players raised concerns about players prioritizing franchise commitments over national team responsibilities. England pace bowler Jofra Archer was a focal point, as he chose to remain with the Rajasthan Royals during the IPL playoffs and missed England’s opening Test against New Zealand.
Young England batsman Jacob Bethell was also discussed earlier in the season. Former England captain Alastair Cook suggested that Bethell should have returned to county cricket to prepare for the red-ball season, given his limited chances in the IPL.
In response to these remarks from foreign commentators, Gavaskar expressed his frustration with the ongoing criticism of Indian cricket and the BCCI.
“Criticism of Indian cricket and the BCCI is expected. However, when it comes to revenues, they still have to turn to the BCCI because Indian cricket and fans contribute significantly more than their traditional rivals,” Gavaskar stated in his column for Mid-Day.
Gavaskar emphasized the financial benefits that foreign boards gain from IPL contracts with their players.
“Complaints about the IPL and player availability for their country are common. However, these boards receive 10% of the fees for every player from their country,” he noted.
He pointed out that the IPL stands out by sharing a portion of overseas players’ earnings with their home boards, unlike other competitions like The Hundred and the Big Bash League (BBL).
“This adds up to over a million pounds each year. Do The Hundred or BBL provide any percentage to the boards of overseas players? No. Only the IPL does. Yet the criticism of the BCCI and Indian cricket continues unabated. The reality is that Indian cricket is here to stay,” he added.
Meanwhile, former England captain Kevin Pietersen supported players like Jacob Bethell participating in leagues such as the IPL, highlighting the unique exposure it offers.