Former opener Gautam Gambhir has said that everytime the Indian Premier League (IPL) need not be blamed when the national cricket team does not perform in big tournaments. At the same time, Gambhir also explained how the IPL has overall benefitted Indian cricket over the years.
Gautam’s remarks came after a few critics had questioned the Indian players’ commitments towards the national team following their ouster from the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 semifinal with a humiliating 10-wicket defeat against England. They had hit out at the players saying that their dedication level is only high while playing in the IPL. Notably, India have not won an ICC tournament after the 2013 Champions Trophy under MS Dhoni.
IPL is the best thing that has happen to Indian cricket: Gautam Gambhir
"IPL is the best thing that has happen to Indian cricket. I can say this with all my senses. There has been lot of backlash regarding IPL since it started. Every time Indian cricket does not do well, the blame comes on IPL, which is not fair. If we don't perform well in ICC tournaments, blame the players, blame the performance, but it is unfair to point fingers on the IPL," Gambhir said while speaking at the Turf 2022 and India Sports Awards of FICCI.
"A sportsman can only earn till he is 35-36. IPL provides with financial security which is equally important," he added.
Gautam Gambhir himself happens to be one of the finest IPL skippers of all time. He had led the Kolkata Knight Riders to two triumphs in the 2012 and 2014 editions. The southpaw had captained the franchise from 2011 to 2017. Apart from those two title wins, KKR under Gambhir’s leadership also succeeded in making the playoffs in the 2016 and 2017 editions.
While the Indian Premier League has been a blessing for Indian cricket in many ways, it needs to be noted that the Men in Blue have not won a T20 World Cup post the inaugural edition in 2007 which has been a subject of discussion after their semifinal exit of the recently-concluded tournament.
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