IPL teams and international stars in informal contract discussions

Fri, Apr 28, '23

Players from a number of leading countries have been involved in conversations with IPL franchises about the possibility of contracts which will see them play in multiple leagues for the franchise.

Though discussions have been informal, they do raise the prospect wherein the main employers for leading players could eventually be an IPL franchise, rather than a full-member board.

The Times reported on Tuesday that six English players, including some internationals, were approached by IPL franchise owners and asked whether they would be open to a deal in which the franchise owner, rather than the board or county, would be their main employer.

These conversations have taken place not just in England, but in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and West Indies, according to Heath Mills, executive chairman of FICA, the global players’ body.

“There have been informal conversations between some franchises and players about being available to play in multiple tournaments,” Mills told ESPNcricinfo.

“That can take a different shape and form for different players. But it should come as no surprise to anyone in cricket that these conversations are happening and that players will have these sorts of options in the future.

“Without going into the specifics of individual conversations, they are about a player being available to play for a franchise in different T20 leagues. A franchise might have three or four teams globally, so they might want the player in multiple competitions – as opposed to just the IPL. It’s not necessarily about signing a player up for all competitions exclusively but rather additional ones to their IPL team.”