1)Another point which is being missed is that if IPL is a success and there plans to create different divisions and expand actually succeed in the long term ,it will help to expand the popularity of cricket.
Just like in football if say a talent is discovered from a non-test country who goes on to become a top player in the IPL and earns big bucks then people in that country will start to take an better interest in playing the game .
In it's current state with nation only cricket i do not know how cricket can expand.Unless a country has a relatively succesful team ,people will not have a idol in the sport and will not take interest in the sport.If people do not follow the sport then nobody would want to invest in it and with lack of expenses good players will be lost.Just look at how interest in footie in windies soared after dwight yorke .
Just look at kenya ,the suji brothers were decent bowlers,tikolo was a good batsmen,odumbe was decent .but what did they get for it?Nothing
They could not turn proffesional as they could not make ends meet by playing cricket.But say in the future if the ipl expands to two divisions of 8 each hen perhaps some franchise would give a contract to these kind of players too ,so they can show their talent and earn money too to feed their families.Taibu this season is a good example of that;.
A Similar league is in the pipeline in paksitan and may be viable in australia and england too which will meam limitation of talent in big test countries and lookout for cheaper talent in smaller nations.
Cricket is a team sport and unlike in tennis and unlike other individual sport where you can show your indivdual talent without depending on anyone.In cricket you need a team platform to showcase your potential.This may not be the case in many countries.
This ma sound far fetched at the moment but depending on the success of the league then in 10-15 years Ipl may have played it's part in spreading cricket all arround just as happended in football by the club game.
Just look at this story-
http://blogs.cricinfo.com/tourdiaries/archives/2008/02/sachins_malaysi.php
2)Even in countries like new zealand and west indies this may give avenue to players to earn money so they can become full time proffesionals and concentrate on cricket.So which means craig macmillan may not have to be a salesman despite being a top class cricketer.
3)It helps indian domestic cricketers the most.There have been many domsetic cricketers who have just missed out on selection for team india for some reason or the other over the years and as a result have not earned the big bucks and their future has not been secure.This gives them oppurtunity-
a)To play with the best in the game and to learn from them.
b)To get recognition in country.Recognition is something cricketers play for and i can just imagine how it must feel for a cricketer who ended his career in domestic cricket despite performing well did not get a fair chance to play dor the country.He is probably not known by the millions of people and advertisers who are asking autographs from the guy who he missed out too.
c)To compare oneselves with the best in tense situations and in front of crowds.
d)Despite not playing for the country,earning decent buck from the game you love.
