Bopara looks beyond IPL cash
Ravi Bopara is hoping to improve his game playing with the best in the world
Ravi Bopara admits it is impossible not to think about the financial rewards on offer in the Indian Premier League - but insists he will be taking part for the love of the game.
The Essex all-rounder was one of 20 English players included on the auction list yesterday for the second season of the IPL, which will take place from April 10 to May 29.
While the financial benefits are unheard of for many of those involved - Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff have been listed at $1.35million and $950,000 respectively - Bopara is adamant that his chief motivation is bettering himself as a player.
“All this talk of big money is new to cricket, it’s new to me and it’s new to all cricketers, but it’s a great opportunity,” said Bopara, who was yesterday also nominated alongside England one-day team-mates Owais Shah and Samit Patel for the British Asian Sports Personality of the year.
“If I said it (money) isn’t important then I would be lying, because it makes a big difference to a lot of cricketers, to their future and their families.
“But if you’re a real cricket lover and you play it because you love the game, you just take all that in your stride.
“It’s a great opportunity to earn money, and we’ll all have a smile about it. But the main thing you play for and what gives you the fire in the belly is wanting to achieve things as a cricketer and become the best player you can on any stage.”
Bopara is set to miss the early part of the domestic season if he is signed up at the auction, which will be held in Goa next Friday.
Hugh Morris is keen for the players to make the most of a "great opportunity"
However, he is relishing the opportunity to learn from some of the world’s best players.
“To be able to play in the same team as guys you’ve played against around the world will be fantastic,” he added. “It will be like playing in an all-star team - it will be incredible.”
Managing director England cricket Hugh Morris echoed Bopara’s sentiments, saying: “It's amazing money and a great opportunity for the players.
“As far as the cricket is concerned, they will be playing with and against some of the best players in the world.”
Bopara, due to fly to New Zealand with England Lions next month before joining up with the senior one-day squad in West Indies at the start of March, believes his nomination for both the IPL and the Asian sports award signifies his improvement in recent times.
“It’s a great honour to be nominated for the award,” he added. “I’m in there with some great names like Owais Shah, who’s had a great year for England, and you also have to look at the names from last year, with Amir Khan winning it.
“It’s great to be included in that sort of category. It shows what progress I’m making in my career to be mentioned in the same bracket as these sort of people.”
