The list of international cricketers making it to the ranks of Indian Premier League (IPL) seems like never ending. New Zealand top batsman Jesse Ryder favoring IPL-6 instead of the series against England is a clear proof of this. Earlier, it was the Australian players like Test skipper Michael Clarke and opener David Warner who have been given lucrative offers to play at this elite tournament. It is time now for other players to follow suit in order to test their luck. It is a known fact that players like Chris Gayle and Brendan McCullum have been catapulted to international fame courtesy BCCI efforts to popularize the game through IPL.
Recently, a couple of England cricketers like Monty Panesar and Eoin Morgan too have chosen to play in this season following the Delhi Daredevils batsman Kevin Pietersen. This is a huge boost for the tournament at a time when legends like Shane Warne and Sourav Ganguly have been announcing retirement from the other end. It now needs to be seen how many more players would take a decision after Ryder has opted for IPL. This will definitely increase long standing debate whether players should choose IPL or home assignments.
It was last March that Ryder has imposed an exile from active cricket because of some indiscipline. Perhaps, the current participation in the world’s top cricket league will ensure that he has the last laugh. Striking form on time too is something that is possible for him on an additional basis. The Black Caps might be sorely missing Ryder’s services for sure. Considering the fact that he is an in-form batsman who can turn the game single-handedly on this day, this might be a big blow for the Kiwis. Ryder returned to first class cricket to find form back again after playing in Wellington.
"There's nothing to be gained by rushing him back," Ryder’s manager Aaron Klee told the Dominion Post newspaper.
"There are just downside risks, but if we're a bit more patient and wait till everything is in place and Jesse's ready, then there will be more upside risks."
Rather than playing in the England tour starting next month, Klee said Ryder would make himself available for the player auction for the IPL, which runs from April 3 to May 26.
"People are going to speculate about why he's available for the IPL and not New Zealand (but) it's a domestic competition and it's a short-term contract, so it gives us the ability to reassess it."
"If you go back to international cricket you can't reassess tour after tour. It fits a bit better into his goals and plans."
Ryder's talents will be definitely missed by the Black Caps, who were greatly exposed with the bat in two Test defeats on their last tour of South Africa.
However, their batting form against England will be propelled by the return of former skipper Ross Taylor, who was confined to the dressing room alone during South Africa tour after being removed as captain but has made himself available for the three-Test series.
