The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced plans to address the pay disparity caused by the Indian Premier League (IPL) mini auctions, following Mitchell Starc‘s record-breaking purchase for ₹24.75 crore. IPL chairman Arun Dhumal stated that a review will be conducted, and new policies will be implemented to tackle this issue. He mentioned that discussions will be held with franchises to explore potential solutions.
Dhumal acknowledged the trend of overseas players, particularly fast bowlers, opting for mini auctions to maximize their earnings. While the IPL is considering changes, such as setting a ceiling on individual player prices, it is not contemplating replacing auctions with player drafts. Dhumal emphasized the importance of retaining the excitement of mega auctions, especially with the entry of new franchises, which adds strategic complexity to team-building.
Arun Dhumal said
“We have taken note of the pay disparity it creates. We will definitely conduct a review and come out with a new policy to address the issue,” IPL chairman Arun Dhumal said in an interview. “A few ideas have come in. We will discuss with the franchises as well before deciding further.”
“When new franchises come in, how would they form their team?” Dhumal asked. “In an engaging competition like IPL, people must keep their thinking cap on. We offer the option of retaining 3 to 4 players to the teams.”
“If you go beyond four, it will not feel like a mega auction. There would be sameness in the squads.”
Regarding future valuations and broadcast rights, Dhumal mentioned that BCCI is closely monitoring the media landscape, especially with the upcoming merger of Viacom 18 and Disney Star. He indicated that IPL’s growth relies heavily on broadcast revenues, and the league is open to engaging with various media platforms in the future.
“With the consolidation in the media space, we will see how we can have more players,” the IPL chief said. “The next rights cycle is still some years away. We are talking about a tournament which is the second biggest sporting league in the world. Technology has changed so rapidly in such a short span of time. If the movement is in digital space, so be it. It may be Netflix, Apple, YouTube or Meta. I am sure we will have many more players.”
In terms of innovations in playing conditions, Dhumal highlighted the Impact Player rule introduced last year and the inclusion of two bouncers per over in this year’s IPL. These changes aim to enhance fan engagement and balance between bowlers and batsmen. However, Dhumal stated that the adoption of these rules in international cricket would depend on their impact and acceptance within the cricket community.
Addressing concerns about IPL’s impact on players’ commitment to domestic cricket, Dhumal stressed that players understand the value and pride of representing their country. While players like Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer missed out on central contracts, their IPL participation won’t be affected, as franchises prioritize winning the trophy.
“It’s been played up a lot in the media space. But I think the players understand the value and pride that comes with playing for the country.They would be keen to win their contracts back and play for the country. You become a hero when you win World Cups for your country. A cricketer playing 100 Tests is considered a much bigger player than the millions you would make in an auction.
“While these players may be out of favour with the national selectors, it won’t influence their IPL selection. “When it comes to IPL, the franchises will take the call. The teams are here to win the trophy. But even franchises would want their players to play for India and become bigger players.”
In conclusion, Dhumal reiterated IPL’s commitment to maintaining its status as one of the world’s premier cricket leagues and its willingness to adapt to changing trends and technologies in the sports media landscape.
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