IPL 2025: Ex-RCB Player Stirs Controversy with Bold Claim that Dhaka League is Tougher Than IPL

In the whole cricketing world, the Indian Premier League (IPL) is widely considered the most prestigious T20 franchise competition. However, former IPL player Parvez Rasool has stirred controversy by claiming that the Dhaka Premier League (DPL) is tougher than the IPL. Rasool, who has played for teams like Sunrisers Hyderabad, Pune Warriors, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, compared the two leagues based on their pressure dynamics.

According to him, while IPL players secure contracts for the full season regardless of their performance, DPL players face immense pressure with short-term contracts, typically lasting only two matches. If they fail to perform in those two matches, they are sent home. He said:

I played five years in Bangladesh, Dhaka League. I rate the Dhaka league as tougher than the IPL. I played IPL also. I played in the Dhaka League also. Tougher, why I told you, because in IPL you get a contract, right? You get selected, and then whether you play or not, you get a contract. So, it depends on the team. If you are doing well, if you are not doing well in 1 or 2 matches, then you get dropped and stay with the team. But when you play in the Dhaka League, altogether, there is a lot of pressure. Why? Because they are giving you a two-match contract only. If you do well in two matches, then you go on. If you fail, you get your return ticket after the third match. I won’t take any names, but there have been some big players who played and were sent back after 2-3 matches.

Rasool further emphasized that even big players in the DPL are not guaranteed to stay long if they don’t perform, unlike IPL players who remain with their teams after being drafted. He highlighted that the intense scrutiny and short contracts make the Dhaka Premier League much more challenging for players, a statement that has sparked debate in the cricketing community.