IPL may soon include a mid-season transfer window feature
Indian Premier League could soon see a European football league style mid-season transfer window, which allows a player from one team to represent another mid-season. If approved, the proposal could determine how the franchisees will shop for the IPL 2018 auction in January. Let's find out what this could mean for the teams and the players involved.
A 'win-win' situation
Reportedly, a player can represent another team if he hasn't played the first seven matches of the IPL season. "There are situations where a player hardly gets game time. A team buys a player but later finds it difficult to fit him in the playing XI for various reasons. The proposal is a win-win for both players and teams," said a BCCI source.
Team owners agree on the proposal
All the IPL franchisee owners seem to be on board with the mid-season transfer proposal and the final decision will be taken during the next IPL governing council meeting. However, many issues need to be addressed before implementing it for the upcoming IPL season. This includes questions like, will there be a mid-season auction or a loan system. Can players refuse to sign?
Impact on the way teams buy players in auction
Teams usually have a 20-25 player squad with many of them not getting enough match time. With mid-season transfer feature, teams will be keen on picking less players as they have the additional option of adding players to the squad mid-season.