The Indian Premier League (IPL) is being perceived as the beginning of a lucrative new era for cricket, but former India captain Rahul Dravid says its success and impact on the game will depend on how it produces top class cricket in the first year.

“IPL is something new. It is going to be quite exciting and in the first year there is going to be a lot of interest. Obviously after that, it is really going to depend on how it picks up. I think the quality of cricket is important,” Dravid said in an exclusive interview.

“Because, people who come to watch (the matches) are going to expect good standard of cricket. At the end of the day, this (good cricket) is what would make IPL a success or failure. It is upto the players, both domestic and international, to provide that,” the captain of Royal Challengers, the Bangalore team owned by business tycoon Vijay Mallya.

Asked if the IPL was good for cricket in the long run, Dravid said, “I think only time will tell.”

The Bangalore icon player, who would earn more than Rs 4 crore in the first season from a maximum 10 matches, refused to buy the argument that IPL was all about money and said people should look at whether it gives the fans entertainment and good quality cricket.

“It is going to be about cricket. People want to see good standard of cricket. At the end of the day, it (good cricket) is going to be the most important,” he said when asked whether money or cricket was at the forefront in the IPL.

Popularity: 2% [?]