Sunil Gavaskar Slams England Players Prioritize National Duty, Leaving IPL Early for Pakistan Series

Several English players who have been instrumental in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season have opted to leave the tournament early. This decision has sparked debate, with some commending their commitment to national duty and others questioning the timing.

The core reason behind the departures lies in a crucial upcoming five-match T20 International series between England and Pakistan. Pakistan will be touring England after their series against Ireland, and with the T20 World Cup 2024 looming large, England wants to enter the competition at full strength. 

Star players like Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone, and Reece Topley are all set to fly back to England for this crucial T20I series. This will allow them to gel as a team and develop their strategies before the mega-event.

However, former Indian cricketer and renowned commentator Sunil Gavaskar has expressed his disapproval of this move. He argues that players who signed up for the IPL should have been obligated to fulfill their commitments.

While writing for Mid Day, Gavaskar said:

“I am all for players choosing country before anything else, but having assured various franchises about their availability for the full season, if they pull out now, it will be letting down the franchises. The franchises should not only be allowed to deduct a substantial amount from the fee that the player was bought for, but also not give the Board, to which the player belongs, the stated 10 per cent commission of the fee that each player gets.”

Ideally, according to Gavaskar, such situations should be clarified within the player contracts at the time of auction. It’s important to establish whether players can be released for national duty during the IPL season. He believes representing one’s country should always be the priority, but raises questions about the timing considering the hefty financial commitments involved in the IPL.

While proposing a solution, Gavaskar said that English players leaving IPL early should be penalized by the BCCI. 

“If the Board has gone back on its assurance they need to be penalised too. This 10 per cent commission to the Boards happens only in the IPL and nowhere else. Does the BCCI get any thanks for its generosity? No way,” Gavaskar said.

The issue has further escalated because these departing players represent key figures for their respective IPL franchises. Teams who have qualified for the playoffs, especially those relying heavily on English players like Will Jacks, Phil Salt, and Jos Buttler, will feel the pinch due to their absence. These players are crucial components in their team’s quest to reach the final stages of the tournament.

The debate surrounding national duty versus lucrative IPL contracts exposes a complex situation. While representing one’s country is a matter of immense pride, the financial implications of the IPL are undeniable.

Finding a solution that balances both aspects could be a key consideration moving forward, perhaps through more transparent contract terms or a more flexible international calendar.