Players paraded like cattle: What is wrong with IPL auction?
The New Zealand Cricket Players Association (NZCPA) has slammed the BCCI for the way they conduct the Indian Premier League's auction, calling it 'undignified and cruel'. Heath Mills, the Chief Executive of the NZCPA, said the auction is humiliating for the players and they are paraded like cattle. So is there something wrong with cricket's premier tournament's auction?
NZCPA Chief executive slams IPL auction
"I think the whole system is archaic and deeply humiliating for the players, who are paraded like cattle for all the world to see," Heath Mills, Chief Executive of the New Zealand Cricket Players Association said.
'Players paraded like cattle'
Mills is not the only New Zealand Cricket official, who seems unimpressed by the IPL auction. Peter Clinton, a former executive of Wellington Cricket, slammed the auction process on social media and even called it a practice followed in the medieval ages. Mills further stressed on the need for a change in the system.
'Archaic and deeply humiliating'
'Don't judge players by IPL fee'
"You cannot judge players based on IPL money. Hashim Amla went unsold. He has 54 centuries. Delhi's Ishan Kishan has got 6.2 crores playing only Ranji Trophy. So the IPL is not a yardstick to judge any player's value," former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly said.
The flipside of the Indian Premier League
The former India captain's comment highlights the fact that a player of the quality of Joe Root has gone unsold. Moreover, IPL's top wicket-taker and one of T20 cricket's finest bowlers, Lasith Malinga found no takes. T20 Cricket's most dangerous batsman, Chris Gayle was finally sold in the third round of the IPL auctions.
Unhealthy practice for rising cricketers?
Mills admitted that the IPL has done a great service to cricket and players, across the globe, are keen on competing in the league to hone their skills, but the fact of not knowing which franchise you will end up playing for, is not a healthy practice. Since players are floating around to different teams, coaches don't get enough time to work with players.
Should BCCI look into the draft system?
The criticism, from all doors, could force the Indian Premier League to look into a new system and they could replace the auction system with the globally established draft system. IPL may be cricket's top tournament and one of the best platforms for young cricketers but the auctions could hurt the pride and confidence of several cricketers.
What is the draft system?
Draft is a process used to allocate players to teams. Teams take turns to select players from a pool and receive exclusive rights to sign the player. Entry draft is the most popular system used to make players eligible to play in a league.
