The Indian Premier League (IPL) is widely regarded as the best and richest T20 league in the world, as well as one of the most expensive sports leagues in the world, but former England cricketer David Lloyd doesn’t think the IPL is the best T20 league in the world.
It has not only changed the entire picture of Indian cricket but also changed the lives of many overseas cricketers around the world, helping them both financially and in their career, but David Lloyd has a different opinion, as he has yet again taken a dig at the IPL.
Lloyd, who has done commentary in IPL matches in the past, believes that the cash-rich league’s biggest flaw is that it only helps people who are already wealthy. The teams are owned by big corporate houses and, for them, it is nothing but another source of income.
Lloyd, who was part of the broadcasting unit in the IPL in the past and knows the nuances of the Indian T20 league, said that the cash-rich tournament benefits the already wealthy, unlike T20 Blast, and that's the biggest flaw of this tournament.
He further said that the IPL is just another source of income for the owners of the IPL franchisees, whereas England’s T20 Blast is for the people. Given those factors, the former captain said that T20 Blast is the best T20 tournament in the tournament.
David Lloyd told ESPNCricinfo: “I think the Blast is the best T20 league in the world - not for its quality necessarily, but for its longevity, the joy that it brings to spectators in the UK culminating in one of the greatest days in the cricket calendar - Finals Day - which I used to dread. Fourteen hours, full-on, with a mascot race when I didn't have a clue what they were doing and the Hollies Stand where they don't know what day it is from 10 o'clock in the morning.”
He signed off by saying, “I have worked on the IPL, but it is a private enterprise and benefits already wealthy people. The T20 Blast is for the people and bringing money into the game. That's a major factor for me in saying it is the best. The IPL fits an Indian audience because the players are Gods out there, but it is deadly serious.
If I am doing a T20 game I'll have a hoot. Blokes messing up and having a laugh, although serious enough that everyone cares about the outcome. I embraced the competition straight away and could see that it is fun and entertainment.”
