Thaindian News

Kolkata, June 2 (IANS) Refuting former Sri Lankan skipper Arjuna Ranatunga’s comment that the Indian Premier League (IPL) was a “monster”, former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly Thursday said T20 league was an apt platform for players to shape up their careers.

“I don’t think it’s a monster. It has made careers of many players. Only a few can play for the national team while there are heaps of players who are talented but never get a chance. The IPL has given a platform to many such players. It not only is a platform to play for the country but also provides players with financial security, which is important,” Ganguly told reporters on the sidelines of an event to promote a Bangla TV quiz show.

“I don’t know why it’s a monster. I know there are players who chose IPL over country but that has to be controlled by the countries’ boards,” said Ganguly, when asked to react to Ranatunga’s statement.

Earlier, Ranatunga in a scathing attack on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), said the Indian board’s financial might has turned the International Cricket Council (ICC) into a “toothless tiger” and called the IPL a “monster” that would destroy the international cricket.

On the club versus country debate, Ganguly said: “It’s a big debate. How can you ignore IPL? The IPL wouldn’t be successful without names like Tendulkar, Sehwag, Dravid etc. You cannot take away the big names from the IPL. But at the same time they have to play for India, it’s a difficult balance.

“But at the end of the day the players need rest. Some tours will be missed. BCCI knows that players will have to be given rest. Even though both IPL and country are important but anytime country comes first. No doubt about it.”