Atherton: IPL has disrupted cricket

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has offered more options and opportunities to younger players but it has also disrupted the game of cricket, feels former England captain Michael Atherton.

Atherton spoke during the UK launch of former India captain Sourav Ganguly’s book ‘A century is not enough’ at the Lord’s.

Atherton was joined by fellow England player Mike Gatting and former Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara for a discussion on cricket. “Like any other industry, cricket has been disrupted. IPL has been a disruptive event, giving players options and opportunities,” Atherton said, talking about the future of Test cricket in the wake of ever rising popularity T20 Leagues, offering big bucks to the players.

“We still sell Test cricket well here in England. The grounds in India may look empty [during Test matches] but we have to bear in mind that those are much larger grounds. The game has always adapted and will continue to do so. I remain optimistic about the future.”

Ganguly suggested that more day-night Tests is the “way forward”.

“It is difficult for working people to spend the whole day away from work at a cricket ground,” he said.