Former India batsman Robin Uthappa has called for major structural changes to the Indian Premier League, saying the tournament must evolve beyond its current model. Speaking on his YouTube channel, the former Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings star suggested that the IPL should move away from the traditional auction format and instead introduce year round trade windows along with a draft system. Uthappa, who scored 4,952 runs in 205 IPL matches and won titles with both KKR and CSK, said the league has outgrown its early stage identity. He argued, “They are not taking it beyond the start-up stage. It is baffling. You are the leading cricket league in the world. Mature now. Just get on with it. 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. I have been saying this even when I was playing.”
He believes the league still thinks too much about what works on television, but said a draft would be equally appealing to fans. “They are not going beyond the entertainment mindset, for TV. Even a draft can be great TV. You will get your fans engaging and create fan loyalty. Just get it going. I think it should be like a six-month league. You can have international fixtures in between. It has to evolve,” he said. The next IPL auction is set for December 16 in Abu Dhabi. In the build up to the event, the league witnessed one of its biggest ever trades. Rajasthan Royals sent long-time captain Sanju Samson to Chennai Super Kings, while CSK allowed Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran to move to RR. Samson will continue at his existing price of Rs 18 crores. Jadeja’s fee has been adjusted from Rs 18 crores to Rs 14 crores. Curran joins Rajasthan at his current value of Rs 2.4 crores. Uthappa feels such major moves are proof that the league is ready for a more modern player management system and believes now is the time for the IPL to take that step.
