Adam Gilchrist urges BCCI to allow Indian players in overseas T20 leagues

Australian cricket great Adam Gilchrist wants to see the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) change its policy of not allowing Indian cricketers to play in overseas T20 leagues. Feeling that the system is conservative, he has argued that allowing players the license to do so will also lead to their growth, development and enforce themselves with the idea of tackling overseas conditions better.

“It will be wonderful (if the Indian players are allowed to play in overseas T20 leagues), I personally feel that it won’t diminish the IPL, it will only grow them as a brand. If they (Indian players) can play in Australia or South Africa,” Gilchrist told reporters.

“But the challenge is we are all playing our domestic seasons at the same time, so that is a hard thing, isn’t it?” he added.

At the moment, the BCCI is firm on its stance that Indian cricketers cannot participate in overseas tournaments like the Big Bash League in Australia, the Vitality Blast in England, or the Caribbean Premier League in West Indies in order to maintain the exclusivity as well as the prestige of the Indian Premier League, which continues to be the most dominant cricket tournament in the world.

The Australian World Cup winner’s suggestion comes just a day after he questioned the growing dominance of the IPL franchises and how the power of the dollar has carved out a window for the tournament. He also went on to add that he hopes that T20 competitions, especially the up and coming ones, in other countries are also given the chance to succeed and prosper.

Gilchrist also questioned how only a few T20 franchise leagues have access to the best players in the world. In the meantime, Indian players aren’t allowed to compete in any other league. He also added that his line of questioning comes from rationale, and not from an attempt to provoke someone.

“I really want to highlight (that the) six seasons (I played in the IPL) I loved it. It was a great experience. It is the premier T20 competition in the world, but it is important to allow other boards and countries to prosper as well,” he added.