IPL gave me great opportunity, Watson says

For Mark Taylor IPL is a distraction for young players but his compatriot Shane Watson says the league has something unique to offer as the youngsters get to rub shoulders with legends of the game, which helps them learn not only about the game but also life.

Taylor has said that million of rupees being offered by IPL would distract youngsters from the goal of playing Test cricket, as who will be bothered about playing for the national side, if someone can make million in two months time.

Watson though feels that it was not always a perfect world and one needs to change according to time.

“The game of cricket has evolved and the environment has changed now. With Test, one-dayers and Twenty20 around, you have to make adjustments in mindset too. We need month-long preparation for adapting to Indian conditions and Chennai-like wickets but just after one practice match we have to play a Test match. IPL gave me a great opportunity, worked as a catalyst and I could blossom as a cricketer as well as a person. There may be difference in opinion but the IPL has positives too,” he said.

“Nothing can be ensured. We can’t change the times. The West Indian team during the 70s and 80s used to be very strong with a plethora of batting and bowling talent. Australians were strong in 90s and early 2000. This is part of cycle. Past few years have been difficult for us and it is true that we don’t have the kind of batting depth we want but we have to choose the best from the available talent.

“But the youngsters like Maxwell are getting an opportunity to play along the likes of Ricky Ponting, Sachin Tendulkar and Harbhajan Singh. He can gain invaluable experience not only for cricket but also about life. Learning about each other’s culture in this amalgam of cricketers of different countries is wonderful,” he said.