IPL “Players Auctions” A Disgrace to Cricketers

Before the glamorous IPL 3 season began there was a players auction was held by the BCCI in a bid to sell the players to the franchise. The word “players auction” itself was a hard term to digest. Are players slaves that they will be put up for sale just as the slaves were in the Roman era? These are players who have climbed the ladders of professional success by working hard and now they have to stand the humiliation of being auctioned. When the Indian Premier League began in 2008 a similar process was followed, but that was just the starting of a annual mega event, so such a fault could be overlooked. But in its third year running, still the BCCI authorities fail to respect the players.

A Still from the IPL 3 Players Auction

Auction is a suitable term for real estate but it does not fit in for cricketers. Just think Sachin Tendulkar (arguably the best cricketer ever) is standing in front of a crowd of interested owners and the price of his skills are fixed. It is very disgraceful to think of. Why can't the sensible heads in the BCCI see such a picture, after all most of them were respectable cricketers too!

When the IPL was conceptualized, it was modeled on the EPL (English Premier League) but there the players do not have to go through the shameful procedure of bidding. They can choose the money and the club themselves. In case of the IPL the players are sold off by the BCCI to the franchises who pays the maximum, the wishes of the players are secondary here. Like other professionals, players too can perform their best when they find a favorable atmosphere around them. Just think Christiano Ronaldo playing in the Fulham team because they pay the best prices for the player! It seems weird isn't it? But thats what many of the talented cricketers have to go through in IPL auctions. They get a call from the owner that you are mine and they have to turn up and play for their franchise.

IPL is making millions of dollars every year and all the laurels should go to the players. In returns of IPL such a grand success can't they get a little respect?