'IPL will revolutionise the game'

Q: The biggest concern about IPL, especially from cricketing nations outside the sub-continent, is that the IPL's economy would disrupt cricket's traditional economy as they are on completely different scales. What is your view?

A: I don't see how. Most countries end their season by March. It is only county cricket that begins mid-April. As far as scale is concerned, India already has the largest market or appetite for cricket. IPL will further ensure there is little erosion to cricket viewership or following. Other sports like football have been slowly trying to make inroads [in India] through EPL [English Premier League]. We think IPL will help put a stop to that.

Q: To elaborate on the economy angle, with the kind of money on offer, what is your reaction to fears that experienced and older international cricketers will quit the game prematurely to devote the full energies and skills to IPL?

A: Even two years post retirement, the player still needs a NOC [No Objection Certificate] from his respective country's board. Only then will we [IPL] take him. As far as IPL is concerned, our objective is to have players who are currently playing for their country. So we will work with the other boards to ensure that we are all on the same page.

Q: Similarly with match officials. For instance, top umpire Simon Taufel has suggested that he might consider quitting the ICC's panel for IPL - his argument is that three months of IPL would give him enough financial cushion for the rest of the year. Wouldn't this harm the game in the long run?

A: We will do whatever it takes to preserve the interest in the game. The IPL will also give an opportunity to many new people to join and earn from the game. The game just got bigger with IPL. Indian officials who just got a chance to officiate in a few games will now be able to participate in IPL and learn from some of the world's best. This will help them attaining the ultimate goal - being part of the ICC elite panel.

Q: The other major concern is that IPL would soon play a major role in influencing the international cricket calendar with countries being forced to adjust their games around the IPL dates. How would you address this?

A: The IPL is here to stay and I am sure it is in everyone's interest that it carves its own place. That does not mean we will play less bilateral cricket. We will all continue to fulfill our commitments to the FTP [Futures Tour Programme]. FTP is most important for all countries and most definitely for the BCCI. We will never compromise on that. This [the IPL] is club-level domestic cricket. Other countries have been doing for a while. Ours just started.

Q: Coming to the franchises, at least five of them we spoke to expressed interest in the level of involvement they would have in decision-making at the IPL. They say that you have asked them to work together but fear this may not be possible unless the IPL involves them at every layer of the decision-making process. They fear that decisions may ultimately be thrust on them, which might lead to loss of harmony. How will you address these fears?

A: This is totally unfounded. We need to work with them. It's with their success we will achieve ours. It's not us against them. We are all on the same side. We will ensure we work with our partners and that's what my job is.

Q: The franchises are also worried that while most of the overseas players have signed some kind of a contract [basic or firm] with IPL, members of the Indian team are yet to do so. Is this true? If so, when are the Indian internationals signing up?

A: There's nothing to worry about. Everything is on track.

Q: Cricket Australia has expressed concerns over protecting the rights of its global sponsors. What is the nature of the compromise that has been worked out? Would IPL be giving the Australian sponsors some kind of a partial protection or compensation in any form?

A: No. We have made it clear.

Q: Finally, how will IPL, being essentially an event of the BCCI, help Indian cricket?

A: There are many firsts. For the first time, we [in India] have a Twenty20 format for our fans, based for the first time on a city versus city basis. It will be the first time that international players will be participating in a domestic league, and also the first time that corporates are directly involved.

A domestic event in India will be covered globally, and our youngsters will be able to play with the world's best, show their skills and also learn, with the best coaches and support staff to help them improve their game. A minimum of 32 under-22 players will be part of the teams. They will get noticed if they perform and this will speed up their progress towards representing the country. The money IPL makes will help improve infrastructure.

Our franchises all have a will to win and will over the years start academies and spend time in developing talent. Support staff will also benefit. Last but not the least, it will be best for the cricket enthusiasts around the globe. They will get to see some remarkable cricket and spectators at the ground will have great experience.

'My team, my city' is our final objective. If we able to build on that over the next few years we will have something that will revolutionise cricket - the way it's played, watched or followed.