|| India Correspondent ||

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is said to add two new teams from the upcoming edition and former India batsman and one of the renowned commentators of the game Sanjay Manjrekar feels that if this development happens then all the franchises should be allowed an additional overseas player in the playing XI as well. 

Currently, as many as 7 Indian players and only 4 overseas players are allowed to play in any match in the Indian Premier League with the objective of promoting the young Indian talents in the domestic T20 league. Manjrekar has also added that if the IPL is being expanded from 8 to 10 teams then the number of overseas players in the playing XI should be increased as well.

 

“If IPL is going with 10 teams then you got to have five foreign players per side. Despite that, you will have 60 Indian players playing in the XI. They are a lot of Indian players.”

The 60 Indian players Manjrekar was referring to is derived from a maximum of 6 Indian players per franchise and 10 franchises so a total of minimum 60 Indian players get represented throughout the course of the league. Of course, the actual number will be higher as teams do not field the same set of players in every match.

Manjrekar added that the addition of a foreign player in the playing XI will not take away the opportunities for Indian talent to represent themselves in the prestigious league.

“When there was no IPL, T20, or 50-over cricket, only 13-14 players in the 70s or 80s played at the highest level and that’s where you got the cream of Indian players playing,” he added.

“You already have plenty of Indian players and it is a shame to see some quality foreign players sitting out only because they can’t play more than four. So even if we go five foreign players, plenty of Indian players will get the opportunity,” again shared Manjrekar.