'Club vs country debate is old': Lalit Modi defends IPL's impact
New Delhi, May 19
The Indian Premier League founder Lalit Modi has defended franchise cricket's growing influence on the modern game, saying the long-running club-versus-country debate no longer holds relevance because tournaments like the IPL are now producing better and more fearless cricketers for international cricket.
Discussing the influence of franchise leagues on young players, Modi explained that the IPL has transformed the traditional pathway to the top by offering immediate opportunities, high-pressure environments and global exposure at an early stage of a player's career.
"The club-versus-country debate is now an old debate. Franchise cricket, and especially the IPL, has become the ultimate testing ground for youngsters," Modi told IANS.
He stated that the league provides something to young cricketers that the older domestic system could not: a platform where they can display their talent in the bigger arena.
"It gives players something the old system could never give at this scale - instant opportunity, pressure, exposure and a fair stage to prove merit. A youngster does not have to wait years in the shadows anymore," he added.
Modi stated that the league does not merely judge them at the lower level and later give a chance at a bigger level, but is ready to make their life tough by playing against the best cricketers of the world. The Indian administrator stated that the IPL forces young cricketers to face the best in the business right from the word go and this gives them mental toughness required for playing at a global stage.
"If he has talent, the IPL puts him under the brightest lights, against the best players in the world, and asks one simple question: can you perform?" Modi said.
Slamming the critics, who believe franchise cricket is hurting international cricket, he said that the leagues like IPL are making their country's teams strong.
"That is why the IPL is not weakening international cricket; it is strengthening it. It is creating better, braver and more prepared cricketers for India and for every cricketing country," he said.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Lalit Modi saying this is ironic considering he's the one who created the monster. IPL has definitely given India a world-class bench strength, but the club vs country debate isn't "old" - it's very real when players skip international tours for IPL. Remember when some West Indies players chose IPL over representing their nation? That's not strengthening international cricket, it's weakening the smaller boards.
There's no denying IPL changed Indian cricket forever. The money, the exposure, the quality of opposition - all top notch. But let's not pretend it's purely about development. It's entertainment business first, player development second. That's fine, but be honest about it.
The point about "instant opportunity" is valid for star players but what about the domestic cricketers who spend years in Ranji? The IPL's auction system means only a few get that break. For every T Natarajan who rises, there are hundreds who never get that platform. The old system might have been slow but it gave more players a chance to develop over time.
Best thing about IPL is how it's democratized cricket - a kid from small town can now dream big. But the worst part? The season is too long and players get injured. We lost Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant for months because they were pushed too hard. Need better player management between franchise and national duties.
As someone who follows cricket from the US, I think the IPL model is brilliant for developing fearless cricketers. The younger generation doesn't have the
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