Indian Premier League cricket team defends global expansion

A leading Indian Premier League cricket team has said it is prepared to be lossmaking for “many years” on its international ventures, defending its expansion in response to criticism that Twenty20 tournaments are weakening the international game.

The Rajasthan Royals, whose investors include Fox Corporation chief executive Lachlan Murdoch, US private equity group RedBird Capital Partners and venture capitalist Manoj Badale, are among several IPL teams to embark on an international acquisition spree, buying teams in the Caribbean and in an upcoming South African league.

IPL teams own more than a dozen franchises from the United Arab Emirates to the US. But critics claim the global clout of IPL teams, several of which are owned by large Indian conglomerates, has grown too dominant and is ruining the traditional game that was built on international teams playing five-day Test matches.

Jake Lush McCrum, 29, chief executive of the Rajasthan Royals, said the franchises would drive investment in local cricket infrastructure and development.

“The fact is, cricket is the biggest sport in India, but it’s not in other countries,” said McCrum. “Growing the sport in other countries will benefit the IPL, will benefit India and benefit the broader ecosystem.”

“We lose money on South Africa, we lose money on CPL [the Caribbean Premier League]. We’re not going in and making profit,” he added.

“Of course, the journey is to take it to profit over time. But South Africa will take many, many years to get there. We’re willing to make that investment and loss because we can grow the game.”

Analysts estimate that IPL teams are mostly profitable and valued at hundreds of millions of dollars, while franchise fees for overseas teams are estimated at only a few million dollars.

Since its launch over a decade ago, the IPL has revolutionised the sport with its fast-paced style, attracting top players to cricket-loving India and bringing a commercial windfall.

Cricket boards globally have sought to replicate this success with their own leagues, with Emirati, South African and US tournaments expected to start next year.

For IPL teams, these offer promising avenues to building international portfolios and attracting global investors, mirroring the strategy of sports conglomerates such as City Football Group.

But this has proved contentious in cricket. Critics point to a trend of top players, such as New Zealand’s Trent Boult, retiring early from international duties to free up time for higher-paying T20 competitions. The Board of Control for Cricket in India, the governing body, has effectively barred Indian players from joining international leagues in order to protect the value of the IPL and its international roster.

Dave Houghton, coach of Zimbabwe’s national team, recently said that “you will end up having all these franchise tournaments throughout the world, just like football’s Premier League, and you will end up having small gaps where international cricket can be played”.

McCrum said these investments were “being portrayed as a negative for the game. That’s not the case and that’s not how we’re approaching it”.

The Rajasthan Royals are also among the IPL teams preparing to bid for a franchise in the inaugural Women’s IPL, which is expected to take place in February. While the BCCI has yet to release tenders or other details about the league, McCrum said the team “will definitely be looking to acquire” a franchise.