• Home
  • Who Said What
  • I Wonder If Ipl Is Even Cricket Ravi Ashwin Wary Of Ipls Commercialisation

'I Wonder If IPL Is Even Cricket': Ravi Ashwin Wary Of IPL's Commercialisation

Ashwin criticizes IPL for it's increased brand endorsements (X)Ashwin criticizes IPL for it's increased brand endorsements (X)

In a thought-provoking statement, Rajasthan Royals spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed his concerns about the commercialisation of the Indian Premier League (IPL), questioning whether the tournament still embodies the essence of cricket amid an enormous influx of money.

Ravichandran Ashwin entered IPL as a youngster with CSK, and little did he know that the franchise T20 league would end up in one of the biggest cricket carnivals worldwide. 

In this modern day and age, IPL has evolved into a big commercial project for brands and businesses, and amidst the craze, Ashwin believes the essence of the divine sport of cricket is getting lost.

In a recent Club Prairie Fire podcast, Ravichandran Ashwin confessed of having second thoughts about the true essence of the league. He's slowly having the feeling that IPL is no longer solely about cricket because he always ends up allocating more time to brands and commercials shoots compared to net practice on the ground. 

"I can say that, having been in the IPL for so many seasons, the IPL is huge. Sometimes I wonder if IPL is even cricket, because sport takes a backstage (during IPL). It's so huge. We do end up practising in advertisement shoots and sets! That's where the IPL has gotten to," Ashwin said on a podcast.

Ashwin claims the players are forced to sneak out time in between shoots and brand promotion to practice. And the hectic schedule is always a challenge as a team has to travel from one city to another almost every other day.

While Ashwin is happy with the meteoric growth of IPL, the commercialisation of the league has forced him to rethink where cricket stands in this drama.

Ultimately, Ashwin's remarks serve as a reminder of the importance of striking a balance between commercialization and the core values of cricket. 

As the IPL continues to evolve and expand its global footprint, it is imperative for all stakeholders to remain mindful of the tournament's roots and uphold the spirit of the game.