The Indian Premier League (IPL) has quickly become one of the most rapidly expanding sports properties in the world, and it has also carved out a reputation as the leading franchise T20 competition in cricket. Running for roughly two-and-a-half months each year, the tournament offers a lucrative stage that often draws overseas players toward franchise duty ahead of traditional bilateral commitments. Former Australia opening batter Matthew Hayden—currently the batting coach of Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026—has suggested that many international cricketers view the IPL as even bigger than international cricket itself.
Hayden said that when he speaks with teams and players, he notices a pattern among foreign talent—especially South Africans, and also players from New Zealand—who describe the IPL as a competition that eclipses the scale of international matches. Speaking on the “All Over Bar The Cricket” podcast, Hayden explained that the way overseas players talk about the league reflects how prominent it feels from the outside.
He added that there is a clear reason behind that belief, pointing to the sheer intensity surrounding the tournament. Hayden said the IPL atmosphere is so dominant that it takes over the entire period of the season, regardless of whether someone is involved in broadcasting, attending as a fan, or standing on the sidelines. In his words, during the IPL it becomes “cricket every day,” with moments even building to a twice-a-day rhythm.
Hayden also recalled his own impact during the early years of the league. He was among the most successful overseas batters in IPL history, and during his stint with Chennai Super Kings, he finished as the top run-scorer of the second IPL season in 2009. Hayden struck 572 runs in only 12 matches during that campaign, underlining the influence he had when the tournament was still finding its modern shape.
Today, the league’s financial pull continues to be a major talking point, with several overseas players on high-value deals across franchises. For IPL 2026, Sunrisers Hyderabad wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen is listed as earning Rs 23 crore, while Nicholas Pooran—playing for Lucknow Super Giants—earns Rs 21 crore. Ahead of the next season, Cameron Green was bought for Rs 25.20 crore in the auction, and is set to receive Rs 18 crore under the IPL’s mini-auction framework.
