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IPL a ‘Packer circus’, says Alvin Kallicharran

When Alvin Kalicharan was asked about younger players attracted towards Indian Premier League (IPL) and mentioned he cannot blame the players to join the league

Alvin Kallicharran was part of historic Test series and world cup wins of 1975 and 1979 © Getty Images (File Photos)
Alvin Kallicharran was part of historic Test series and world cup wins of 1975 and 1979 © Getty Images (File Photos)

Majority of West Indies cricketers from 1970’s and 1980’s were soft spoken and humorous in their approach and Alvin Kallicharran is no exception. Kallicharran has been part of many historic Test series and two World Cup wins in 1975 and 1979, as reported on cricbuzz. The left-handed batsman said, “My best cricketing moment was representing West Indies in my first Test. Getting hundred was a bonus, not the ultimate.” When Kallicharran was asked about T20 format games and younger players attracted towards Indian Premier League (IPL), he said he cannot blame the players for it. READ: No security problems in Karachi, assert Alvin Kallicharran and Sanath Jayasuriya

“I won’t fault players if they want to secure their future,” he said on Saturday. “I didn’t join the Packer circus because I already had a county contract with Warwickshire. And they had told me clearly that if I signed with Packer, they would not renew my contract. Success in cricket was a matter of pride and enjoyment for me. But it was also about adding to my bank balance. We have to change with the times. Test matches under lights is fine with me. T20 cricket is necessary and all forms of cricket can co-exist. But we have to restore the balance between the bat and ball. You can’t take away weapons of bowlers. If we had today’s cricket bats, there would have been a shortage of cricket balls. Team bus was the only coach we had.” READ: Clive Lloyd, Michael Holding introduced in Honorary Advisory Board by American Cricket Federation

Kallicharran was in Pune to contribute to Blades of Glory museum of Rohan Pate. “It took us eight months and many phone calls till I agreed to visit here. The museum is mind-boggling.” He also mentioned how he loves to play on bouncy wickets of Australia and spinners in India.

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