IPL 2018: 3 ways in which IPL has benefited global cricket
There is no denying that the Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the most exciting and innovative tournaments in cricketing history. Many will know the IPL for the lucrative amounts of money which cricketers can earn but the IPL's contribution to global cricket cannot be limited to the financial rewards which are on offer.
In fact, the IPL has been one of the most beneficial tournaments any cricketer can hope to play in even if they are not being paid hefty amounts of money. The unfortunate truth is that so much time and attention has been placed on looking at how much players are getting paid that the tournament's immense contribution towards developing young cricketers has been overlooked.
This article will take a deeper look at 3 different ways in which the IPL has benefited global cricket and why it is indeed a global tournament.
#1 Domestic players receive exposure to international-level cricket
Many would argue that it is India's own domestic players who stand to gain the most when it comes to experience and exposure to international cricketers. While this may be true, there can be no denying that players from other countries have also gained more experience and exposure to international batsmen and bowlers through the IPL than with their own national sides.
This might sound like a very bold statement to make but it is a statement which is true. Taking a look at this year's tournament alone, we can take Aussie all-rounder D'Arcy short as a typical example.
Short turned heads during the Big Bash League in Australia where he was the tournament's highest run-scorer. He was then selected for Australia's T20 squad and continued his good form which saw him top the T20 batting charts for the most runs scored in 2018 in T20s.
Short has played a few internationals for Australia but the experience and exposure which he will be receiving while playing in this year's IPL will be invaluable. He will have the opportunity to face bowlers such as Sunil Narine - an opportunity which he is unlikely to experience in his international career anytime soon. He will also have the opportunity to bowl to batsmen such as Chris Gayle and Yuvraj Singh - which will undoubtedly be an experience which will prove to be most beneficial to the young man.
Short is just one of the many examples, but many other cricketers would be experiencing the same benefit. Not everyone gets the opportunity to play for their national side as often as they would like to and the IPL, therefore, gives these players a chance to still face international talents and quality players to ensure that they themselves keep growing and improving as players.
Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan has also made a name for himself in the IPL. The bowler has been one of the star performers of this year's tournament and has given him valuable experience of bowling in Indian conditions