Aakash Chopra calls for five overseas players in the playing XI in IPL 2022

Aakash Chopra calls for five overseas players in the playing XI in IPL 2022

Aakash Chopra

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra feels that five overseas players should be allowed in the playing XI in IPL 2022. The 15th edition of the tournament is set to feature ten teams for the first time since 2011. 

Currently, as many as four foreign players are allowed to be a part of the playing XI for any franchise. However, Chopra suggested this change while mentioning that it will help in keeping intact the competitiveness of the cash-rich league. The cricketer-turned-commentator opined this rejig while speaking on ESPNCricinfo’s show ‘Mute Me’.

“IPL should allow five overseas players in the playing eleven come next season when you have as many as ten teams. The reason for me saying that is that quality has to be paramount. IPL has succeeded, it has been the best T20 league in the world for a variety of reasons. One key element is the quality of cricket that is played in the park,” Chopra explained.

‘Most teams are not blessed with a lot of Indian players’: Chopra

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The former opening batsman reckoned that having four overseas players in an eight-team is alright but there should be more foreigners when the numbers of franchises too increase. 

“You can only ensure it (the quality of IPL) if you have five overseas players now. Because it is alright to have eight teams – seven Indians and four overseas players. Some teams are blessed with a lot of Indians but not most teams. So if you play five, then you can maintain the quality.

“Therefore, you really won’t feel the pinch. Because I do feel that if it is only four overseas with ten teams, we will all feel the pinch that the quality has gone down and that the IPL is no longer the competitive tournament that we are all a fan of,” Chopra concluded.

If implemented, the five overseas players will attract more international stars to the tournament. Currently, ace foreign cricketers like Chris Lynn, Jason Roy, Lockie Ferguson and Anrich Nortje are warming the bench for their respective IPL sides. 

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