Former Indian cricket team opener Aakash Chopra gave a perfect reply to the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ramiz Raja. In case you didn’t know, Raja recently commented that if they introduce an auction system in the Pakistan Super League, it will come in the same bracket as the Indian Premier League. To prove why his comments were not so justified, Chopra gave an example of Chris Morris.
In a YouTube video on his official channel, Chopra said that the salaries of players is not the only thing that has kept the IPL above the other leagues. He added that the broadcasting rights, the viewership, the fan following and the presence of Indian players also plays a role in the popularity of any tournament.
Then Chopra said that even if the PSL introduces an auction system instead of the existing player draft, none of the players would earn contracts worth INR 16 crore like they do in the IPL. Chopra explained that the market dynamics would not allow that to happen.
Further, he pointed out the stark difference in the salaries of the players who play in IPL and other leagues and said:
“To be very honest, Chris Morris’ one ball, when he played last time, was more expensive than the players’ salary in other leagues. Is it even possible to compete or compare yourself with the IPL, whether it is PSL, BBL, The Hundred or the CPL? Is it a slightly misplaced judgment?”
Chris Morris earned 16.25 crore in the previous IPL season
Former South African all-rounder Chris Morris became the most expensive signing in IPL Auction history last year. The Rajasthan Royals signed him for an enormous sum of INR 16.25 crore.
While Morris did a decent job for the Jaipur-based franchise, he could not justify his huge price tag. Soon after IPL 2021, the all-rounder announced his retirement from all the formats of cricket.
