Player welfare in cricket is the overall well-being of cricketers, including health support, safety, salary, player rights, and mental well-being. It assures that players must be treated fairly both on and off the field. It includes medical treatment, dispute resolution systems, freedom to participate in different leagues, and proper contracts.
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As per reports, the IPL is not leading the World cricketers’ association charts, even after being the richest league.
latest WCA rankings
As per the latest ranking of WCA, the league leading the charts is The Hundred (England) with 75.2 points. Here is list of the top 10 franchise leagues in the world:
- The Hundred (England) – 75.2
- SA20 (South Africa) – 68
- Indian Premier League – 62.6
- Big Bash League (Australia) – 62.5
- Pakistan Super League – 48
- Major League Cricket (USA) – 43
- International League T20 (UAE) – 39.1
- Caribbean Premier League – 38.9
- Abu Dhabi T10 – 30.1
- Bangladesh Premier League – 22.6
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WCA Chief Executive Tom Moffat Statement on WCA rankings
Tom Moffat on Thursday said that while cricket had benefited from the rising numbers of domestic players in recent years, it was vital to ensure players were taken care of. He said, “The growth of the domestic leagues landscape has been overwhelmingly positive for our sport, but it has the potential to be even better,” he said. “We want all sanctioned leagues to be successful, and to provide fair protections and standards for people within them.”
IPL vs Other Leagues – Welfare Comparison
Here is the comparison between top 3 Leagues as per World Cricketers’ Association rankings:
| League | Rank | Points | Key Strength |
| The Hundred | 1 | 75.2 | Strong player rights and support system |
| SA20 | 2 | 68 | Better working conditions |
| IPL | 3 | 62.6 | High salary but weak player rights |
Why IPL is Ranked Lower in Player Welfare
As the richest league, IPL lacks in some critical aspects as per WCA guidelines:
- No Strong Union System: IPL does not have an active players’ union system to save cricketers’ interests.
- Limited Freedom: As per the rules, Indian players are not allowed to play in any other leagues. Ultimately, it reduces the player’s opportunity.
- Dispute Resolution Issues: The WCA report marked weaker systems for solving player-related issues as compared to other leagues. The removal of Bangladesh player Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL earlier this year, amid political issues between the countries, affected the IPL’s latest WCA ranking.
The policy that the BCCI holds of not allowing contracted male players to play in other franchise leagues around the world has also come in for criticism.
- Weak Player Rights: IPL does not offer a strong mechanism for player representation or collective bargaining.
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What IPL Still Does Better Than Others
According to the current rankings, IPL is in third position but is still better in various aspects:
- Payment Trust: Players are paid on time with strong financial security.
- Global Exposure: IPL offers visibility to players and guides them to build global brands and careers.
- Highest Salaries: As per reports, IPL pays the highest player salaries among all the T20 leagues.
BCCI Rules and Player Restrictions
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has very strict rules. One of them is that Indian players are not allowed to play in other T20 leagues. It limits players’ freedom and earning potential outside the country. However, this policy has been criticised by global cricket leagues too.
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Impact on Players and Future of IPL
The effect of player welfare concerns on players in the Indian Premier League is not likely to be very harsh, especially because IPL providers offer very high salaries and global exposure. For several players, IPL remains their top priority because of its financial security and career growth opportunities.
In 2025, the total number of players that registered for the IPL mega auction was 1,574 (1,165 Indian and 409 Overseas). This huge number shows that even with recent welfare concerns, players remain highly attracted to the league.
However, the BCCI may take note of the suggestions given by global bodies and may consider enhancing certain points of player welfare in the future.