The Indian Premier League (IPL) is thinking about changing some of its rules, which might have a big effect on auctions and player retention.
Players who stepped away from international cricket for at least five years would be eligible to apply for “uncapped player” status under the idea. According to a source from ESPNCricinfo, this implies that these players wouldn’t be subject to the higher base price set out for Indian players with caps.
Owners of franchises are debating this plan. Some people are against the idea, like Kavya Maran, the owner of Sunrisers Hyderabad, claiming it disrespects retired internationals and could lead to a situation in which young players are paid more than seasoned veterans. They recommend that these participants go into the auction and let the market determine their worth.
Some franchise owners are in favor of the regulation change because they think it will provide seasoned players who haven’t played for their nation much more opportunity. They contend that because of the existing structure, these players are forced to bid at high base prices, which discourages teams from betting on them and frequently results in remaining unsold.
Hemang Amin, the CEO of the Indian Premier League, thinks that cutting the base fee for these players will make them more likely to be selected. He references cases in which Indian players with caps who were off of the international stage for long stretches of time failed to find buyers because of expensive base costs.
Prominent athletes like MS Dhoni, who left international cricket in 2020, may be affected by this argument. Although a recent story incorrectly associated Chennai Super Kings (CSK) with the rule change as a means of keeping Dhoni, the team’s position on the issue is still unknown.
Dhoni has said that he will make a decision about his IPL future following the league’s finalization of its retention policies. Dhoni’s future is still unknown despite his successful knee surgery in 2023 and his excellent performance in the 2024 season.
