"Most successful business people don't achieve prominent positions by being philanthropists" - Ian Chappell concerned over IPL owners' influence

Former Australian captain Ian Chappell has expressed concern over the growing influence of Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise owners in cricket tournaments across the league. Admitting that some recent developments are not surprising, he warned against extreme consequences if things go out of control.

Recently, some reports claimed that the GMR group, co-owners of Delhi Capitals, are bidding to acquire the Hampshire County Cricket Club. IPL franchise owners have also expressed interest in The Hundred. IPL franchise owners already have stakes in T20 sides in the UAE, USA, South Africa, and West Indies.

In his column for ESPNcricinfo, Chappell wrote that IPL owners' growing influence has to do a lot with the fact that they have a lot of money and others like county teams and even some cricketing nations don't. However, issuing a clear warning, he wrote:

"The shrewd owners are also starting to sign top-rated players to longer contracts and that should be a warning to cricket administrations. The better players could become beholden to an IPL owner rather than their own cricket board. That is when conflict of interest becomes a divisive issue."

Chappell blamed cricket administrators for being unable to produce a long-term blueprint for the game a couple of decades ago. He also wondered whether the future of cricket is in safe hands with corporates gradually calling the shots.

"Most successful business people don't achieve their prominent positions by being philanthropists. Will sufficient funds be channelled back into the game or will a large proportion end up as shareholder bonuses awarded by rich business conglomerates? Do shrewd business people necessarily make good cricket team owners?" the 80-year-old Aussie legend questioned.

Incredibly, all six teams featuring in South Africa's T20 competition have been purchased by IPL franchise owners.

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"Cricket's future needs to be a partnership planned by a combination of players and administrators" - Chappell

Writing in the same column, Chappell bemoaned cricket administrators' lack of vision about giving financial security to players apart from providing them with playing satisfaction. Admitting that running the game is a difficult job, the former Australian captain, however, added in his column:

"Cricket's future needs to be a partnership planned by a combination of players and administrators."

Concluding his thoughts on the growing impact of business persons in cricket, Chappell opined that players must have a say in the formats they want to play.

"If a player chooses not to play long-form cricket that's their prerogative, but it would be really sad if that choice is not available," he wrote.

The country vs money debate has been going on for a while now in the wake of franchise cricket constantly eating into international matches across the globe.