Secondly, how will the IPL impact India’s extant domestic cricket infrastructure? Given the already dwindling crowds and inferior prize money, traditional contests such as the Ranji and Duleep Trophies may become increasingly irrelevant.

Thirdly, how will the IPL affect first-class competitions the world over? While first-class competitions such as the English County Championships or Pura Cup may be more immune, domestic limited over competitions may experience a decline. For example, the continuing appeal of the Stanford 20/20 competition in the West Indies could erode, despite its sizeable financial backing, as more and more West Indian stars are lured away to India.

And finally, how will the rival leagues, each imbued with star power, accommodate one another? Sports invariably lend themselves to monopolies. No one wants to see multiple leagues producing multiple champions. Success for the IPL may spell doom for the ICL, or at best, a merger or unifying competition may have to be eventually contemplated. The Superbowl originated in 1967 as a game between the champions of two different leagues: the American Football League and the National Football League. Similarly, the World Series, which determines

Major League Baseball’s champion in North America, originated as a deciding competition between the winners of the National League and the American League.

The evolution of professional limited over leagues such as the ICL and IPL was perhaps inevitable given India’s enormous cricket market. In fact, one can say it was long overdue, delayed only by a reactionary and unimaginative cricket board, which was among the last to embrace Twenty20 cricket. The development of a world-class professional cricket league, attracting the best international talent, and having a large and passionate fan following, may continue to prove a gradual, tortuous process. However the landscape of domestic Indian and international club cricket will almost certainly experience significant upheaval.

... contd.