BCCI should allow five overseas players per team in playing XI – Aakash Chopra

Former India cricketer and one of the leading commentators, Aakash Chopra wants to see five overseas players per team in the playing XI. He feels BCCI should consider this option seriously as the move will maintain the quality of the tournament and avoid seeing the same teams leading the points table in every season.

He further added that only four teams are dominating the IPL while the rest have been found wanting season after season.

“This is going to be an issue… because if the teams that are considered good on paper like Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, and now RCB are always at the top and the rest are seen struggling consistently, the problem might just be in player acquisition. If playing four overseas players and seven Indian players isn’t helping to maintain the standard over a period of time, what will happen when ten teams arrive?” said Chopra on his YouTube channel.

Chopra stated that BCCI should introduce the rule and leave it on the franchises if they wish to use that combination or not. “I believe BCCI should seriously consider allowing five overseas players per team. This will mean keeping 10-11 overseas players in the squad. Those who want to play five overseas players can and those who don’t, no problem at all,” he added.

The BCCI currently allows four overseas players in the playing XI and a franchise can have up to eight foreign cricketers in the squad.