Tilakaratne Dilshan. (Photo Source: Twitter)
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has revolutionised cricket, starting as an entertaining T20 tournament to become a career-defining opportunity for players around the world. With life-changing financial rewards and exposure on offer, the IPL is a huge platform for even international stars.
Former Sri Lankan opener Tillakaratne Dilshan and New Zealand batter Ross Taylor, both IPL veterans, have spoken about why the league is such a “good deal” for cricketers. Dilshan was part of the inaugural IPL in 2008 and played in the tournament for Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (now Royal Challengers Bengaluru) in 38 matches and scored 735 runs. Taylor featured in 55 IPL games for four franchises,namely Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi Daredevils, and Pune Warriors India, and scored 1017 runs.
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IPL is providing a platform for international players: Ross Taylor
For Dilshan, the staggering sums of money available in the IPL allowed cricketers to put financial worries aside and fully dedicate themselves entirely to the sport.
“Playing T20 cricket involved a lot of money, and I know that our countries don’t pay that much money, but that money helped him to keep other problems aside and focus only on cricket. That’s an advantage, we can focus fully on cricket. Everyone needs money to survive, and we’re only playing cricket now, not doing any other jobs. I think it’s a good deal, money is good for players and they can keep all problems aside and focus,” Dilshan told the 180 Not Out podcast.
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Taylor also spoke about the advantages, and how the IPL facilitates opportunities for international talents to rub shoulders with cricket’s biggest names.
“IPL is providing a platform for international players to interact with some of the best cricketers in the world, ultimately shaping the future of the sport in their country,” opined the former Kiwi batter.
With the 17th edition underway, the amount of money being spent has been skyrocketing. With cricketers getting huge contracts, and getting a platform to prove themselves and learn and observe other players.