Ravi Shastri: Quality of cricket in IPL is outstanding

Though the focus of T20 league is on big bucks, Ravi Shastri reminds cynics that several current internationals have honed their skills in the tournament

India all-rounder-turned-commentator Ravi Shastri during an event at a city hotel yesterday. Pic/suresh karekera

India capped off a fairytale 13-Test home season with a brilliant 2-1 series win over Australia. The whites now will be under lock and key for a long time. Up next on the calendar is Season 10 of the Indian Premier League (IPL). While many purists have criticised the cash-rich extravaganza, terming it a money-making stunt for cricketers, former Team India director Ravi Shastri emphasised that the focus should be on the quality of cricket and the glitzy tournament should be firmly part of Indian cricket's domestic structure.

Why blame cricketers?
"Don't forget that a lot of players have come through the IPL and have honed their skills here. They got a platform to showcase their talent and as much as people want to criticise it, what they forget is to focus on the cricket. The quality of cricket is outstanding — the fielding, running between the wickets and power-hitting. The focus though is on the bucks — the bucks will be there, it's the market which is paying it. Why blame the cricketers?" Shastri told reporters at a function in which he was announced as brand ambassador of Grey Cells Education Limited.

The former India skipper also batted for an extended IPL, even it means cutting short the prestigious Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament.

"The IPL should be given massive importance. Don't treat it as another tournament. From six weeks, it can be extended to eight. You have eight franchises and seven Indians play in each franchisee so 56 Indians get a chance to rub shoulders with four overseas players in each team," the veteran commentator added.

Injury concerns
As many as six Indian stars are nursing injuries ahead of Season 10. Premier offie R Ashwin, star batsmen Murali Vijay and KL Rahul are ruled out of the tournament.

Shastri doesn't think that the absence of such stars will take away the sheen. "You don't know what the other guys are practising. There's new talent that will come on the block and will take all you guys by storm. Suddenly, he might be India material in a year's time. Ravindra Jadeja, Yusuf Pathan and many more did well in the IPL to come into national contention," Shastri said.

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