Finally the auctions are over for the IPL and the there are two important issues to consider.

First is the stability of Test cricket; are we witnessing the slow demise of the long form of the game? Secondly is the issue of morale among players, particularly the spirit in national teams.

The BCCI have been running the ICC's business for a long time. And by putting so much money into what are ostensibly fewer days of play, it is evident that BCCI are going to be the permanent bosses of ICC.

As it stands, the ICC has made sure that future tour programmers will not have a window for IPL. But don’t be surprised if ICC change their minds on that idea in the future. BCCI's money wields power and they can get anything from the ICC, from the removal of umpires to changing the verdict of a so-called race case.

ICC are also sure to get their share of the money from IPL so you can safely say that in the future there will be a permanent window for IPL.

Will IPL follow the same path of the Premier League in football, increasing the number of domestic matches against international fixtures? Twenty20 is growing on a big scale with massive amounts of money generated  and the crowds kept happy.

But traditional Test cricket is the real test for cricketers. And this form of the game may struggle against the new version. And if the ICC embraces IPL, it could be the first step in the dismantling of Test cricket.

After the IPL auctions this week, players said after their number one priority is still playing for their country. But Andrew Symonds has already said that a player can get more money for playing fewer days.

Players are moving to these rebel leagues like IPL or ICL immediately after retirement for the money. If they can play a fast-paced Twenty20 series after retirement, why can't they still play Test cricket? This is where money has started to win over loyalty.  

Interestingly, the auction has thrown up some surprises. Ricky Ponting is a high profile name who has gone for a far lesser amount than the likes of Sri Sreesanth, Ishant Sharma, David Hussey, Cameron White and Symonds.

On the field, doubts might linger over players' abilities when compared to fellow team-mates if one is valued higher than another.

IPL has the power to destroy the team spirit of international cricketers. It could end up like football where the best English players give everything to their club but cannot turn it on for country.  If the IPL has this kind of power, the future of the game could be compromised.