Former Australia captain Adam Gilchrist on Wednesday voiced concerns over the Indian Premier League`s (IPL) expanding global footprint, saying the cash-rich league`s efforts to monopolise T20 franchise cricket are becoming "a little bit dangerous."
Gilchrist`s comments came in the wake of reports in Australian media saying batter David Warner will skip Australia`s Big Bash League (BBL) this season to participate in a new league in the United Arab Emirates, backed by IPL money.
Warner plays for IPL side Delhi Capitals, owned by India`s GMR Group, which owns a team in the Emirati league. The new tournament`s schedule is set to clash with the BBL`s, which runs from December to early-February 2023.
IPL team owners have also bought all six franchises of South Africa`s new domestic T20 league, while three IPL franchise owners -- of Kolkata, Rajasthan and Punjab -- own teams in the Caribbean Premier League.
"I think it would almost be commercial suicide for (Cricket Australia) to allow a player like him (Warner) to go head-to-head up against their own competition," Gilchrist told Australia`s SEN Radio.
"They can`t force David Warner to play in the BBL... But to let him then go off -- or another player, let`s not single out Warner because there will be other players on the radar -- it`s all part of this global dominance that these IPL franchises are starting to create.
"... It`s getting a little bit dangerous the grip that it`s having to monopolise that ownership and the ownership of the players and their talents and where they can and can`t play."
Gilchrist said that veteran Warner`s commitment to Australian cricket could not be questioned, but added that younger players could follow in his footsteps.
"If he rides off into the sunset and says, `Sorry Australian cricket, I`m going to become a gun for hire for my Indian franchise team in various tournaments`, you can`t question him on that," Gilchrist said.
"That`s his prerogative and he`s done everything he needs to get the profile and get that market value. It`s the new younger player coming in that starts to make those noises where it`ll be really challenging."
The IPL did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.
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