It’s all about business: The bidding for the inaugural Indian Premier League is a stark example of where cricket stops and business starts. While many experts and novices have been surprised at some of the figures in front of the names, this is not about the emotions of the game, where the skill or credentials of players is the denominator. It is all about who will enable the franchisees to break even, and show profit, at the earliest. Not for nothing does an Ishant Sharma merit a tag of $ 925,000, while a VVS Laxman has to be happy with $375,000. The maths is simple – Sharma will sell more than Laxman. – Cricketnext.com

And so it begins: The gates of cricketing hell have been cracked open and allowed us a first, sinister vision of the future of the gentlemen’s game … The problem is the money. If players can earn more money playing 16 Twenty20 games than by touring with their national side, why would they bother going on endless tours? The tournament hasn’t yet started and already there are indications that players will forego national duties to take part. Don’t think it’ll happen? Symonds has already indicated that he will pull out of Australia’s tour of Pakistan. He quotes security reasons for his decision, but perhaps it’s financial security that he’s after. – Craig Hackney, Sportingo 

Will IPL work: I have my doubts. Cricket in India is popular as a subset for nationalism; there is no audience even for local matches featuring top Indian stars. It’s hard to believe that this contest among cities will generate that much interest. — Life is a street car named desire

Marketing cricket: Symonds’ high-priced sale and its circumstances were the major talking points of a day where cricket’s conventions were changed forever, from a game where most players have largely represented the states and nations of their birth to a free market economy more akin to the high stakes gambling of European football. — Daniel Brettig, The Roar

IPL a hairy prospect for Warney: Trust Shane Warne to be explicit in whatever he does. All set to play to the gallery again at the Indian Premier League (IPL), Warne says he sees it as an opportunity to get in touch with the right people in India to find greener business pasture. In his column for The Times, the man with the fastest – and dirtiest, claim detractors – fingers on keypad – says:

Who knows what other opportunities in business may crop up through contact with people behind the franchises? For example, I would like to help to take Advanced Hair Studios into India and this may be a way in. – Doosra