KEY POINTS
- Top players choose PSL for security over IPL volatility.
- Guaranteed playing time in PSL trumps IPL bench risk.
- PSL expansion to eight teams signals rising global stature.
- Player priorities shift from pure pay to active roles.
ISLAMABAD: In a notable shift within the global cricket league landscape, experienced England all-rounder David Willey has pinpointed “more certainty and security” as the key reason prompting high-profile international cricketers to choose the Pakistan Super League (PSL) over the traditionally more lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL).
This trend is highlighted by the decisions of several established stars, including former South African captain Faf du Plessis, who have opted out of the upcoming IPL auction in Abu Dhabi to instead commit to the PSL. The IPL has witnessed several such notable withdrawals this season.
Also Read: PSL Gains Ground as Du Plessis Chooses Pakistan Over IPL; Russell, Too, Quits Indian League
Willey, who himself bypassed the IPL auction last year to feature in the PSL’s landmark 10th edition, suggested that the guarantee of substantial game-time in Pakistan is a major draw. “I think it’s very individual.
You maybe never quite know how the IPL auction will pan out. I think there’s a little bit more certainty and security with the PSL for players,” Willey told an Indian news website from the sidelines of the ILT20 in Dubai.
He elaborated that the prospect of actively playing, rather than warming the bench for the IPL’s lengthy 10-11 week season, is a crucial factor.
“People might feel like they’ve got more chance of actually playing in the PSL, which can be a defining factor,” he added.
This player sentiment emerges as the PSL prepares for a significant expansion. Now in its eighth year, the league is set to add two new franchises for its upcoming 11th edition, marking its first major restructuring since 2018.
This growth will bring the total number of teams to eight, signalling the league’s rising stature and creating more opportunities for international stars.
Also Read: Glenn Maxwell Withdraws from IPL as More Stars Shift to Other Leagues
The collective move by players like du Plessis, Moin Ali and others alongside Willey’s analysis suggests a changing calculus in T20 leagues, where assured roles and active participation are increasingly weighing against the sheer financial scale of the IPL.
This shift underscores the PSL’s evolution into a more competitive and attractive destination for the world’s cricket elite.
