IPL vs Ranji Trophy: Sunil Gavaskar slams salary difference, says, 'Imbalance leaves sour taste in mouth...'

IPL vs Ranji Trophy: Sunil Gavaskar slams salary difference. (Photo: BCCI)

The Indian Premier League began in 2008 and since then it has produced multiple stars. Hardik Pandya, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul and many more are examples of how the cash-rich league has nurtured talent and made them big stars who are not afraid to perform when it comes to the big stages.

The IPL provides a platform for many Indian domestic players to compete against and learn from international stars, including top overseas talent. Another major advantage is the lucrative salaries offered to players. For instance, young sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi, just 14 years old, was snapped up by the Rajasthan Royals for an impressive Rs 1.1 crore.

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"What this IPL has shown is that once again, one performance can catapult an unknown player into the reckoning for higher honours. This is in stark contrast to performance in the National Championship, the Ranji Trophy, where top-notch deeds do not even get headlines," wrote Gavaskar.

The former India batter also mentioned that a single successful IPL season can be more rewarding for a player than an entire Ranji Trophy career. He also suggested ways to reduce this disparity.

"There are many instances of these one-match performers being out of the game in a season or two, but one season of IPL often gives them much more than a whole career in the Ranji Trophy. While this imbalance can be attributed to the appeal of the IPL to the masses and thereby the huge broadcast and sponsorship rights, it does leave a sour taste in the mouth, especially for those who play almost thrice the number of cricketing games as in the IPL," said Gavaskar.

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"As if to rub salt into the wounds, at the end of the Ranji and domestic Vijay Hazare, Syed Mushtaq Ali seasons, those who have played the whole season do not even make the lowest base price of Rs 30 lakh of an uncapped IPL player. This imbalance can be reduced to a great extent if other associations, like Mumbai, match the BCCI's payments to Ranji players," he added.