5 reasons why IPL is much more than its money and glamour 

Indian Premier League is often criticized for being a blemish to the sanctity of the game by involving glamour and money into it. However, the results tend to tell a different story. Indian cricket has only benefited from the IPL, and IPL is much more than its money and glamour.

IPL has given us players like Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja and many more. It has also given domestic players financial security, even when they don't make it to the national team. It has taken Indian cricket board's stature to the next level.

So, here are the five reasons why we think that IPL is one of the best things that has happened to the Indian cricket.

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#1 It has given financial security to the domestic players

They might be old, but they aren't finished

In the recently concluded Nidahas Trophy, India's new found hero was Dinesh Karthik, who has been playing cricket for around fourteen years now.

When the Dhoni-era began, everyone thought they it was the end of the road for players like Wriddhiman Saha and Dinesh Karthik, but they are regulars in the team now.

Here we need to give IPL the credit for giving both the players financial security through the IPL contracts and allowing them to continue playing cricket with money not being a problem for them.

Many might say that playing for the country should be the only motivation for the cricketers, but at the end of the day cricketers are also human beings, and they also have certain aspirations.

On the other hand, we have players like Mohammad Siraj, who belong to underprivileged backgrounds, getting hefty amounts in the auction just helps the general cause of upliftment of the poor.

#2 Perfect platform for spotting young talent

Some of the players who were first spotted at the IPL, and then went on to play for India

IPL has given Indian cricket a lot of gems in the past decade. Be it the Pandya brothers or the spin king Ashwin, the Indian team has benefited a lot from the IPL.

IPL is the perfect stage for an individual to shine. There are thousands of spectators in the stadium making noise, and that gives the youngster a taste of international cricket and the enigma around it.

Since IPL is a long tournament, there are enough games for the youngsters to get a chance and showcase his talent.

#3 Given a face to the Indian cities and added a dimension to their rivalries

In India, we weren't that passionate about our native places or cities in general. IPL has just blown some life into the inter-city rivalries.

It has given cities a face and a colour to associate with. For instance, whenever we think of Mumbai, we think of the Gateway of India, the vada pav and the local trains. But because of IPL, we also think of the colour blue, and the Wankhede being a sea of blue. Similarly, whenever we think of Chennai, we somehow associate the colour yellow with it.

IPL has just added more vividness to our diverse nation.

#4 Raised the level of the game

A 2-month stint with the legends of the game will always be beneficial for any youngster

IPL has made international cricket even more competitive and has raised the bar of cricket in general. When several greats of the game share the same dressing room, it is nothing but obvious that they'll improve each others game.

Remember how Bumrah joined MI as a young kid and Malinga being a legend of the game helped him master the art of death bowling. Even Sarfaraz Khan got the opportunity of honing his finishing skills under the guidance of AB de Villiers himself.

Muttiah Murlidharan's IPL stint prove to his national team's own nemesis, as MS Dhoni figured out all his variations during the IPL and played a match-winning knock in the 2011 World Cup Final.

There are several other similar examples where it was the game of cricket that benefited from the IPL.

#5 Improved India's stature in world cricket

BCCI is the most powerful cricketing body in the world right now

There was a time, when world's greatest player then, Sir Donald George Bradman, wouldn't step inside India. Today, there are millions of cricketers dying to be a part of a mega event like the IPL. Such has been the rise of Indian cricket.

India has had its share of ups and downs as a cricketing nation but there have been very few ups comparable to the IPL.

IPL has taken India's stature as a cricketing nation to the next level. Today, an Indian can proudly say that his country has the best cricket league in the world and are dictating the terms in world cricket.