A few days ago, former England cricketer Michael Clarke created a stir on the cricketing world with his statements regarding the Australian cricket team being less aggressive against the Indian cricket team because of the Indian Premier League.
Well, in an interview, Clarke revealed that he feels that the cricketers are scared of sledging Virat Kohli because of IPL. He had said:
“Everybody knows how powerful India are in regards to the financial part of the game, internationally or domestically with the IPL. I feel that Australian cricket, and probably every other team over a little period, went the opposite and actually sucked up to India. They were too scared to sledge Kohli or the other Indian players because they had to play with them in April,“
His statements had created a stir in the cricketing fraternity. Recently, many cricketers including Tim Paine, Pat Cummins, and many other cricketers opened up about the same.
The latest one to talk about the cricketing remarks of Michael Clarke is the former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman. Talking to Star Sports, VVS Laxman, who also mentors IPL team Sunrisers Hyderabad, said that being nice to someone won’t get anyone a place in IPL. He said:
“Just by being nice to someone doesn’t get you a place in IPL,”
Further, he said that any franchise will look at the caliber of the player and what value they will add to the team. He said:
“Any franchise will look at the player’s caliber and value add to the team, which gives them desired results by winning matches/tournaments. These are the kind of players who get IPL contracts. So just being nice to someone will not earn you a spot in the IPL.”
He added:
“If you’re friendly with any Indian player it doesn’t mean that you are getting IPL contract. As a mentor, I’m on the auction table and we select players, those international players that have played exceptionally well for their country and can add value to the franchise. Friendship with any Indian player doesn’t ensure entry into the IPL,”
