World Cup-winning West Indies legend has come out in support of the Indian Premier League at a time when there is a raging debate on whether franchise cricket is causing the death of the international game.
According to a certain section of people, the outburst of several cash rich T20 leagues will do nothing to serve the game but will instead act as slow poison to formats like Test cricket and ODI cricket, which have perhaps lost a bit of their relevance over the years in relation to its viewership.
Lloyd, however, felt that that was not necessarily the case, as the franchise leagues pay much better than international cricket. The stalwart felt that since the players dedicated the best years of their life to the sport, they deserved to be paid well. He also took a swipe at those who did not question basketball legend Michael Jordan when he was paid astronomical sums of money.
“I think we went to Kerry Packer because we did not know our worth. These guys now know what they are worth. But I think that if IPL is such an important part of their lives, just give them a window so that they can play IPL. I think, because they are earning a good living. And do not forget, you are giving your best part, the best days of your life to this sport. So why not be paid for it?”
he said.
When asked about the issues within the West Indian system, Lloyd was of the opinion that the players must be allowed to participate in the leagues and not penalised for it. He hoped that an understanding could be reached which prevented the erosion of talent from the Caribbean.
“You cannot stop them from doing that. It gives them a good future. But the point is that they should not do this to the detriment of playing for their country or their nation.”And we suffer because we are only five and a half million people. So if we groom twenty players and lose ten, it is like digging a hole to fill a hole. And I do not want that,”
Lloyd said.
