IPL 2024: Sunil Gavaskar criticizes England players for leaving the tournament early

Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar has slammed the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and its players for their early departure Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Gavaskar urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to take action against the players and the board.

England’s players return home

Many England players, incl Liam Livingstone (Punjab Kings), Jos Buttler (Rajasthan Royals), Will Jacks, again Reece Topley (Royal Challengers Bangalore), have left the IPL to either rest or join the England squad for the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan, starting on May 22.

Livingstone, in particular, has returned to England to rest his knee ahead of next month’s T20 World Cup. IPBKS, where Livingstone plays, have already been eliminated from the IPL, with just four wins from 12 games and sitting bottom of the table with eight points. Although RR and RCB are still in the race to enter the playoffs.

Sunil Gavaskar wants financial penalties

In his Mid Day column, Gavaskar suggested that IPL franchises should retain a larger portion of players’ wages if they leave early. He emphasized the financial problems of their premature exit and said that it undermines the commitments made by franchisees.

ALSO WATCH: IPL 2024- ‘Facetime me with the cup’ : Jos Buttler’s message before leaving Rajasthan Royals camp for England job

“I like players who choose their country before anything else, but since I have confirmed to different franchises about their presence for the whole season, if they leave now, it will bring down the franchises. Franchises should not only be allowed to deduct a large amount from the player’s purchase money, but also not to give the Board, which belongs to the player, a specified commission of 10 percent of each player’s earnings,” Gavaskar wrote.

Accountability to cricket boards

Gavaskar also called for cricket boards to be held accountable for breaching their guarantees. He pointed out that the 10% commission paid to cricket boards for players’ participation in the IPL is a unique practice in this tournament and is not seen in other T20 leagues around the world.

“If the Board has gone back on its assurance, it must be punished. This 10 percent commission to Boards only happens in IPL and not anywhere else. Does BCCI get any thanks for its donation? It’s impossible,” added Gavaskar.

UPDATE: England unveil 15-man squad for 2024 T20 World Cup; Jofra Archer returns