The cricketing world has witnessed a paradigm shift with the advent of cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL). BCCI’s golden hen made it the most powerful in cricketing world financially.
On the other hand, former captain Michael Clarke observed a notable change within the Australian culture of playing hard and ruthless.
Instead, the world-cup winning captain accused the Aussies of being soft on Virat Kohli and Co., looking at a possibility of being bought at exorbitant prices in the auctions.
“Everybody knows how powerful India are in regards to the financial part of the game, internationally or domestically with the IPL. I feel that Australian cricket, and probably every other team over a little period, went the opposite and actually sucked up to India,” Clarke told Fox Cricket.
Over the recent decades, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has been high-octane with players from either side continually having a go at each other through verbal duels.
The Monkeygate of 2008 Test series, as well as the Adelaide Test match in 2014, are prime examples of the cut-throat competition the Indian and Australian teams have had in the past.
However, during the Perth Test match in 2008, coach Justin Langer’s goal was to not react to Kohli’s antics on the field. Instead, he persuaded the team not to flare up Kohli, despite him ‘getting to their skins’.
“They were too scared to sledge Kohli or the other Indian players because they had to play with them in April. Name a list of ten players, and they are bidding for these Australian players to get into their IPL team,” added Clarke.
In the twelve IPL editions, the tournament has seen a significant influx of Australian domestic cricketers, as well as the fringe-players, including the renowned internationals.
“The players were like: ‘I’m not going to sledge Kohli, I want him to pick me for Bangalore so I can make my $1 million US for my six weeks.’ I feel like that’s where Australia went through that little phase where our cricket became a little bit softer or not as hard as we’re accustomed to seeing,” concluded Clarke.
