The Indian Premier League (IPL) auction is a competition in itself. It’s a spectacle to watch. Deserving players like Prithvi Shaw or Shardul Thakur went unsold, and then others like Venkatesh Iyer got Rs 23.75 crore. It’s unpredictable, much like an IPL match.
But there are some flaws as well. Some players don’t get what they deserve. Washington Sundar, for example, got just Rs 3.20 crore in Jeddah. Instead of an auction, had there been a draft, he would have gotten what he deserved. For the unaware, in a draft system, players are slotted into categories. This way, players get a fixed price, and teams benefit as well since they don’t have to overpay players.
Dravid prefers the IPL auction over the draft
But Rajasthan Royals (RR) head coach Rahul Dravid feels that the auction makes the IPL exciting.
“The auction system is what keeps the league highly competitive. The ability to rebuild every three or four years ensures that no team dominates indefinitely. Any team can beat any other, and that’s what makes the IPL so exciting. The salary cap and equal purse for all teams further enhance this competitiveness. While there are valid arguments on both sides about the effectiveness of an auction, there’s no clear-cut answer,” Dravid told Sportstar.
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Auction helpful for players
The former India coach added that it’s not easy to rebuild the team after every mega auction, but it’s great for the players as well. Some who are stuck warming the bench can move on to some other team.
“As a coach, you want to keep your core intact for as long as possible. The debate over whether the cycle should last three years or five years is always open. The league now permits teams to retain six players, the highest ever. But a large auction every three years ensures that teams can reassess their squads and remain competitive. It’s also beneficial for players.”
“Many players spend three years at a franchise without getting enough chances. A new team might offer them better opportunities, which is crucial for their careers. If a player gets stuck in a franchise for six to nine years without regular game time, it could harm their development,” he added.
“For young Indian players especially, re-entering the auction provides a fresh start. Even a three or four-year stint at a single franchise can sometimes limit a player’s growth if they would have fit better into another team’s balance or strategy. There are arguments on both sides, and finding a perfect solution is difficult. But the results speak for themselves — the league remains competitive, different teams win, and the playoffs aren’t dominated by just one or two sides. That balance keeps fans engaged and ensures the tournament’s continued success,” Dravid concluded.
