'Wake Up And Smell The Coffee...': Sunil Gavaskar Schools IPL Critics Over Jofra Archer's Debate

England pacer Jofra Archer’s absence from the recent Lord’s Test against New Zealand, despite being available throughout the IPL season, has sparked criticism from several former cricketers. Many have questioned whether franchise cricket is being given priority over international commitments, with both Archer and cricket administrators facing scrutiny.

However, those remarks did not sit well with batting great Sunil Gavaskar. The former India captain hit back at the criticism, saying that questioning players over their availability has become a “favourite pastime.”

Gavaskar also pointed out that critics often ignore the financial benefits that cricket boards receive when their players take part in the IPL. According to him, the BCCI pays 10 per cent of a player’s IPL salary to their respective cricket boards, a practice he says is unique to the tournament.

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“Indian cricket and BCCI bashing is par for the course,” Gavaskar wrote in his column for the mid-day. “But when it comes to revenues, they still have to come to the BCCI because it is Indian cricket and Indian fans that fill their coffers much more than even what their traditional rivalry does.”

“Cribbing about IPL and their players not being available for their country is another favourite pastime. Not a word, though, about the 10% their Boards get of the fee of every player from their country,” he added.

Gavaskar further highlighted the massive amount earned by overseas cricket boards through the IPL. He said the tournament generates more than a million pounds annually for several boards and questioned whether other franchise leagues offer similar benefits.

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“It adds up to a cool million plus pounds every year. Does The Hundred give any percentage to the Boards of their overseas players playing in their tournament? No sir. Does the BBL or any other country T20 leagues give any percentage to the Boards of their overseas players. No sir again. Only the IPL does,” Gavaskar wrote.

“Yet the whining and moaning about BCCI and Indian cricket just goes on and on. Wake up and smell the coffee guys. Indian cricket is here to stay, no matter how you try to pull it down,” he added.