NEIL MANTHORP: Mzansi should copy Indian league in fast-tracking youngsters
But it will need to survive first after poor turnout so far
When the Indian Premier League (IPL) began a dozen years ago no secret was made of that one of the objectives was to improve standards among the country’s youngest professional cricketers with a view, eventually, to world domination.
Worked pretty well, didn’t it? There was a quota in place for both uncapped and under-24 players for franchise squads and, in the early years, even in the starting XI. The success of the IPL exceeded even the BCCI’s (Board of Control for Cricket in India) expectations. And so when the broadcasters informed them that having the occasional out-of-depth youngster up against the best players in the world might devalue their product, they removed the regulation...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.