the buzz in the blogosphere today has been the issue of pakistani players not being picked up by franchisees in the IPL Auction. I say that it was a fair call. The teams were justified, IMHO for not spending money on players from across the border.
WHY? The secular, freedom loving, peaceful being inside you just asked. How can I say this at a time, when the whole world has been blogging, face-booking and tweeting in support of the contrary.
The only explanation I have right now also happens to be the most plausible one. It goes by the name of Return of Investment.
These franchisees are owned by multi-million dollar companies and individuals. The least that they fathom is to know how to manage their hard earned money. Buying a player, that too for just one year (it is important not to forget that all the player contracts will be churned after this season ends), becomes a very important call.
A Call not just justified by the player’s popularity, or just his talent. The driving factors in such a scenario are ‘utility’ and ‘availability’. The latter is where the team owners were in a fix regarding the players from Pakistan.
While Shahid Afridi would have been in everyone’s dream team, the reason why he was not picked is because the franchisees knew that the current India-Pakistan diplomatic stand is unclear to say the least. What if, at the last moment, the Pakistani players are not allowed to cross the border?
Who will account for the money lost then?
What say you?
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Good point Paddle
Another point you forget in this example of Shahid Afridi is hs volatile temperament, Deccan Chargers will vouch for his tantrums when VVS Laxman had to face his acerbic comments on the field as well as in the papers. The Pakistani players can complain all they want, but with the current climate each team will have to invest in them with a high probability that they might not get to play at all. And for all those crying unfair, here’s a thought this is purely business nothing more.
It was a pretty obvious decision . Many teams lost out last year because Pakistani players were out of the IPL. Since the contract was only for a year ,It didn’t really make sense to invest in such a risk for the franchise when they only had a slot or two to fill and 66 talented players to chose from
@mihir and @ankur
thanks for commenting…feels good when people appreciate simplistic views instead of just trivializing stuff..
Nope. Don’t think so. You’re telling me that they would let a star player like Afridi go on the basis of the minuscule chance that there will be significant changes in the state of diplomatic affairs in the ONE month between now and March? Come on, now..
Take into consideration the punts that have been taken..Pollard, Martyn, Kaif. Wouldn’t it make better sense to bet on the chance than proven players will get a chance to play as opposed to complete dark horses who might not do well to begin with…?
Ankit,
I think they could have gained a lot from Pakistan’s TV audience. I don’t think there is any point either strategically or financially in dragging cricket into this conflict. I think what our government doing with security et al is relevant and far more important than these gimmicks from Lalit Modi and his band of brothers.
Waise, your new home for blog looks pretty good
@Rohit
Its for just one year. It, according to me, was a calculated move by the franchises. I can say with a great amount of surety that all the important pakistan players will sell for a fortune next year. Let us allow this matter to rest for now.
See, the ultimate loser has been the cricket viewing audience of Pakistan. Next, they might even ban youtube there.
@Rathesh, thanks a lot…do keep visiting. This blog updates itself more times in a day than the number of liters of milk MSD Drinks
Lol at Milk,liters and MSD..
Pakistan players might have all the talent inthe world, their recent performance in the u-19 worldcup would back that, on the other side they try to hit everyball out of australia in tests.
T-20 is one formatt they know what to do in and the only one. Leaving t-20 champions out is major loss for cricket, things like financial strategy of the franchises are all lame ,when all franchises wanted them.
It was Modi all the way, with the backing of Hindu extremists never wanted Pakistani players from the start. Apart from cricket, franchises are the other victoms.
interesting observation…