Gilchrist joins chorus for IPL window

Adam Gilchrist, the Deccan Chargers captain, has become the latest to talk of the need for an IPL window. While players were interested in avoiding a clash between the Twenty20 tournament and international fixture list because of the money they stand to earn, he said, the window would also help build the IPL brand.

"The ICC and IPL need to really sit down at the table and look closer (at the window)," he said, a day ahead of his team's opening match against Kolkata Knight Riders. "I am beginning to believe that the players across the globe would like a window to be available because of the glaringly obvious part of a good financial return for players.

"But along with that it is the premier club competition in the world. If the players feel part of that and are desperate to be part of it is only going to help the brand and there is great benefit for the game of cricket."

Deccan are one of the teams least affected by the lack of a window, with only Australian fast bowler Ryan Harris expected to miss a chunk of the IPL due to international commitments. West Indian fast bowler Kemar Roach could also miss the first couple of IPL matches since he will be busy wrapping up the one-day series against Zimbabwe.

A surfeit of Twenty20 matches are scheduled over the next couple of months, with the World Twenty20 starting less than a week after the end of the IPL. Gilchrist said he was happy the IPL was not looking to expand beyond the current six-to seven-week timeframe though new teams were joining the competition next season.

"The IPL needs to be aware of not getting too big to the detriment of the game," he said. "I read with interest Lalit Modi's very pleasing comments that the commissioner and the committee are aware of that as they look to expand the competition but they are not looking to take too much more time."