Window for IPL

The International Cricket Council (ICC) may have scheduled the FTP such that it provides a window unofficially for the Indian Premier League (IPL). According to the working draft of the Future Tours Programme (FTP) for 2012 to 2020 contains an official window in September for the Champions League T20 each year, and also leaves space for an unofficial IPL window in April and May. This makes it possible for most players from most nations to participate in the league, taking care of the club-vs.-country debate. Players from across the world have been talking for a separate window for IPL and there was a growing feeling in the cricket fraternity that a space for IPL in the calendar was inevitable.

Under the new FTP calendar, India is scheduled to host Pakistan for a Test series in 2013, the first time after 2007. But, beyond that, particulars of other series between the two countries were vague with the host nation nor the numbers of games were specified. India would also play 90 Tests and 166 ODIs within the eight-year span. India also plays fewer Test matches than England and Australia in the eight-year period though the world champions would be the busiest team in ODIs. The FTP has a clear division among the Test playing countries with England, Australia and India scheduled to play the most Tests, followed by Sri Lanka and South Africa.

All of India’s other bilateral series are between two and four Test affairs. West Indies and Sri Lanka, however, have nothing longer than three Test series, while Bangladesh and Zimbabwe are limited to two. According to the FTP, India will not host Bangladesh or Zimbabwe for either Tests or ODIs in the whole of the eight-year period. India has not hosted Bangladesh in a bilateral series since the latter got Test status in 2000.

This proposal, if Okayed by the ICC board, will help raise IPL’s profile further as many of those who had to stay away from the T20 festive because of national commitments; will now be able to display their wares. However, most top players from England may have to keep bypassing IPL as they have international commitments during the IPL months almost every year, according to the draft. West Indies cricketers may also find it difficult to balance their country duties with IPL because of what the draft FTP has in store for them.

Tags: Cricket, FTP, Future Tours Programme, ICC, Indian Premier League, International Cricket Council, IPL, IPL Window