A growing chorus of former Indian cricketers, led by Robin Uthappa, is urging the BCCI and IPL to abandon the current high-stakes player auction in favor of a draft system combined with year-round trade windows. Uthappa, a two-time IPL winner and seasoned campaigner across multiple franchises, described the auction as “baffling and outdated,” saying it fails to create lasting team loyalty or reflect global best practices in sports leagues.
He argued the IPL should evolve from a short, intense competition toward a longer season and a structure that encourages franchises to build sustained rosters rather than engage in single-event bidding wars. He suggested the league could span six months and integrate trade windows similar to the NFL or NBA, enhancing fan engagement and franchise stability.
Why the Auction Model Faces Criticism
The auction system that has defined the IPL since its inception places teams in a public bidding war, often driving up player prices and creating season-long financial imbalances. Former players argue this model puts entertainment value over strategic roster building, undermines talent pipelines, and fails to create long-term connections between players and franchises. Uthappa said, “Stop with the auctions and keep the trade window open throughout the year. Have a draft and get rid of the auctions. For crying out loud, get rid of the auctions.”
Moreover, the current model gives an advantage to wealthier franchises, which can outbid smaller ones and accumulate star players, reducing competitive balance. A draft system, by contrast, typically offers more equitable distribution of talent and allows for newer teams or under-performing squads to rebuild with more predictable outcomes.
Advocates for a Draft and Trade Window Point to Global Leagues
Supporters of reform point to major international sports leagues where drafts and trade windows are integral parts of the competition structure. In those systems, teams make selections or trades throughout the year, allowing adjustments, strategy shifts, and roster continuity. Uthappa and other ex-players believe the IPL could adopt a similar model to strengthen team identities, reduce reliance on one-time auctions, and encourage long-term planning.
They also suggest that a longer season, possibly extending to six months, would open space for international fixtures, recovery periods, and broader domestic integration. The theory is that moving beyond a two-and-a-half-month window could turn the IPL into a more substantive cricketing league rather than just a summer entertainment spectacle.
What It Would Mean for Players and Franchises
Switching to a draft and trade-window model would bring major changes. For players, it could mean more stability and clearer career paths – rather than being bought and sold in a public auction every season. For franchises, it would emphasize long-term strategy, player development, and brand building over short-term splashes on auction day.
Franchises would likely need to shift how they budget, recruit, and retain players. Trade windows would require teams to scout and plan throughout the year, while drafts would require talent pipelines, youth development programs, and strategic forecasting. The shift might also reduce runaway spending by franchises and help control salary inflation.
Challenges and Resistance to Change
Despite the appeal of reform, there are significant obstacles. The auction model has been a major revenue driver for the IPL, generating intense media coverage, bidding drama, and brand engagement. Changing to a draft might reduce some of that spectacle and could face resistance from franchises that benefit from current spending patterns.
There are questions about stakeholder buy-in. Franchises, broadcasters, sponsors, and even domestic players may prefer the higher visibility and financial pay-outs that accompany auction mega-bids. Moreover, integrating a year-round trade window adds complexity in scheduling, player contracts, and international commitments.
Finally, the structural shift would require support from the BCCI, modifications to league regulations, and alignment with domestic calendar constraints. The board would need to weigh the benefits of long-term structural reform against the immediate commercial success of the auction model.
A Possible Turning Point for the IPL
The calls from former players such as Uthappa mark a potential turning point in the IPL’s evolution. As the league grows in global stature and faces increasing pressure from fans, broadcasters, and stakeholders, structural reforms may be necessary to maintain competitiveness and relevance. If the BCCI and IPL management respond, we may see the next IPL draft system, year-round trade windows, and a longer season tabled in future editions.
For now, the discussion highlights a broader debate: is the IPL content with being a two-month entertainment tournament, or will it transform into a sustainable, strategy-driven global sports league? The answer could reshape one of the world’s most popular T20 competitions and change how cricket franchises think about team building, talent, and performance.
