BCCI will soon have to contend with growing franchisee cricket across the world

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The way IPL owners are expanding their footprint across Caribbean, US, South Africa, Dubai, and England is nothing short of a cricketing revolution. This shift is transforming the global cricketing landscape, creating a network of franchise-based leagues that could reshape how the sport is played and consumed.

With IPL’s success as a blueprint, investors see huge potential in T20 leagues worldwide, and their involvement is not just about business—it’s about globalizing cricket. We’re heading toward a future where players move seamlessly between these leagues, making year-round franchise cricket a reality.

BCCI’s firm policy of not allowing Indian cricketers in foreign leagues while encouraging IPL owners to invest globally does seem like a contradiction that could lead to friction in the future. Right now, the rule is meant to protect IPL’s exclusivity, but with T20 leagues booming worldwide, it’s only a matter of time before players start looking for alternatives.

The free-agent route could become a serious option for many non-contracted or fringe Indian players who want year-round cricket and financial security. If this trend picks up, BCCI might eventually have to rethink its stance, or it risks losing talent to foreign leagues permanently.

The trend of Indian domestic cricketers moving to the US for better opportunities is already picking up pace, and with the rise of Major League Cricket (MLC) and other T20 leagues, the pull factor will only grow stronger.

If a player – or group of players – legally challenges BCCI’s restriction, arguing that it violates their fundamental right to earn a livelihood, it could open a Pandora’s box. Such a case would put immense pressure on BCCI to justify its stance, and if the ruling goes against them, it could force a major policy change.

Indian franchises are now dominating global T20 cricket, and with four to six teams in different leagues, their influence is only growing. The old belief that world cricket runs on Indian money is evolving into something bigger—franchise cricket is slowly overshadowing international cricket, much like club football.

With leagues like SA20, MLC, ILT20, and The Hundred attracting massive investments, playing for a franchise year-round is becoming just as, if not more, lucrative than representing a country. This shift is making bilateral series less relevant, and players are beginning to prioritize financial security over national duty.

If BCCI doesn’t adapt soon, it risks facing a player exodus, just like what’s happening with some domestic players moving to the US. A structured system allowing Indians to participate in overseas leagues while keeping the IPL’s dominance intact seems like the best solution.

For an Indian domestic cricketer who isn’t in the national setup, there’s still a four to five-month gap even after playing the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare, and Syed Mushtaq Ali tournaments. Naturally, their priority is financial security, especially since their playing career is short, and they want to maximise their earnings while they’re in prime form.

If BCCI continues to block them from overseas leagues, many might take the free-agent route, relocate abroad, or even retire early from domestic cricket to cash in on foreign opportunities. The reality is that franchise cricket pays significantly more than domestic cricket, and if players are not in contention for an India cap, their best bet is to look for leagues outside India.

While the IPL remains the gold standard, it’s only a matter of time before other leagues start pushing to compete. With IPL franchises owning teams in SA20, MLC, ILT20, and The Hundred, these leagues are growing in stature and could eventually challenge IPL’s dominance, who knows?

Right now, no league matches IPL in financial power and global reach, but if leagues like MLC (backed by US investors) or SA20 (with strong cricketing talent) continue to expand and attract top players, they could become serious contenders. The real tipping point will come if a league manages to offer salaries close to IPL’s, leading to scheduling clashes and player loyalty dilemmas.

So at some point, BCCI will have to rework its policies—either by increasing domestic pay or allowing non-contracted players to play in foreign leagues. Otherwise, the talent drain will only accelerate from here on.

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