'IPL bigger than international cricket': Hayden speaks on how overseas cricketers view Indian Premier League

Indian Premier League (IPL) is a sporting behemoth. Within 19 years of its existence, it has become one of the richest sports league in the world and the recent sale of two of its franchises for enormous sums of money further established its credentials as a money churner. This has led many to believe that the league has gotten even bigger than international cricket and Australian legend Matthew Hayden has confirmed that players too are viewing it in a similar manner.

Players like Nicholas Pooran, Heinrich Klaasen, Trent Boult are some of the biggest international names who announced early retirement from international cricket to play leagues around the world. The trend is expected to grow further and Hayden's statements are another indication of the same.

Hayden's big claim on IPL

Hayden, who is the batting coach of the Gujarat Titans, spoke about the overwhelming nature of IPL at a YouTube show called All Over Bar The Cricket. He said that when he talked to players, he got a sense that they treat the league as something more important than international cricket.

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"Talking to different teams, I feel like the foreign players, particularly the South Africans, us (Australians) to a degree, from New Zealand, they tend to bill this competition like it is bigger than even international cricket," Hayden said.

"You could see why they do that. Because there is so much hype around it. It just takes over for the entire period of IPL. It is just cricket every day. Sometimes even twice a day," Hayden further explained.

The statement comes around the time when England star Jacob Bethell shut down the suggestion of the legendary English captain Alastair Cook to consider playing in county cricket instead of warming the bench in the IPL. Bethell suggested that being on the bench in IPL was helping his career more than playing in the County Championship.

Lalit Modi, the founder of the IPL, has also claimed in the past that due to the rise in the salaries of players in the leagues, international cricket will suffer.

In a podcast with former Australia captain Michael Clarke, Modi had explained how bulging IPL salaries will push the players away from the international game.

"You'll see a top player from your country get a $5 million contract. Or even a $7 million contract. They will be on a $1 million Australian contract. What is their choice going to be?" Modi asked Clarke.

"The boards need to wake up," Modi said on the issue, also adding that players will revolt if the board tries to stop them from playing in the IPL.