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'You won't see player going for Rs. 16 crore in PSL': Ex-IND opener reacts to Ramiz Raja's statement comparing IPL, PSL
The former India batter spoke in detail about the market dynamics, as he responded to Ramiz Raja's statement on PSL and IPL.
Earlier this week, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja said that he was keen on bringing a major revamp to the Pakistan Super League (PSL), the premier T20 league of the country. Ramiz said that it is time to “elevate the concept” of the PSL, and introduce an auction in the league instead of a draft system. The PCB chairman further said that PSL can come in the bracket of IPL.
“The market forces are conducive, but we'll sit down with the franchise owners to discuss it. This is a game of money. When the cricket economy grows in Pakistan, our respect will rise. The main driver of that financial economy is the PSL. If we take the PSL to auction model, increase the purse, then I'll put it in the IPL bracket. And then we'll see who goes to play the IPL over the PSL,” Ramiz had said.
Former India opener Aakash Chopra, reacting to Ramiz's statement, insisted that even if there is an auction in the PSL, no player is going to get sold for ₹16 crore in the league because the market dynamics “are not going to allow that to happen.” In the previous year's auction, Rajasthan Royals had bought South Africa's Chris Morris for ₹16 crore.
“There's money from selling rights; on the basis of that, you analyse the value of the league and the value of the teams. Then, you divide the purse and start the league, whether by auction or by draft. Ramiz bhai says that if there's an auction in the PSL, the price limit will increase which is the case. But you won't see a player being sold for ₹16 crore in PSL. It is not possible. Market dynamics are not going to allow that to happen. It's as simple as that,” said Aakash on his official YouTube channel.
“The biggest thing that India has is the people who watch the game, they're the ones who pay a lot of money. Our population of 130 crores is an asset,” said Aakash.
Further putting his point, Aakash said that the number of people watching the league is the biggest driving force behind the value of a league.
“You don't have 100 crore people. Suppose Rohit Sharma plays in the PSL. Do you think the broadcaster, who was, let's assume, earlier paying 7000 crores, will suddenly increase the money to ₹35,000 crore? It isn't as if more people in Pakistan will start watching because a Virat Kohli or a Rohit Sharma is playing in PSL. You can maybe consider a 10 percent increase in viewership from the NRIs, but that is not going to suddenly increase your valuation,” said Aakash.
“India have the audience. It's not down to the Indian players. It is not down to the player salaries, it is not down to auction or draft. I don't think anyone can compete with the Indian Premier League. So, Ramiz bhai, with all due respect, the truth is that cricket economics is not going to work with draft or auction.”
The 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League will begin on March 26, when MS Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings meet the Shreyas Iyer-led Kolkata Knight Riders in Mumbai. The 15th edition of the league sees the arrival of two new franchises to the tournament; Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans.
