India, Nov. 6 -- The Indian Premier League has become one of the most valuable properties in world sport.

Its franchises are worth billions, investors are willing to pay extraordinary sums to own a team, and every new media rights cycle adds to the league's financial strength.

But there is another side to this money story.

At least two top Indian players have reportedly told their franchises that they want Rs.40 crore to stay for the IPL 2028 cycle. In one case, the demand is also understood to be linked to captaincy, according to a Cricbuzz report.

That is a staggering number. And it raises a question that the IPL cannot keep avoiding: are player salaries beginning to run ahead of the actual business of the league?

There is nothing ...