Uthappa questions IPL’s stagnation and outdated systems
As the IPL prepares for its latest auction in Abu Dhabi, former India cricketer and two-time IPL champion Robin Uthappa has reignited the debate over the league’s structure, calling the current auction model “baffling” and “outdated.”
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Uthappa strongly criticized the IPL’s reluctance to evolve beyond its early framework. “They are not taking it beyond the start-up stage. It is baffling. You are the leading cricket league in the world. Mature now. Just get on with it. Stop with the auctions and keep the trade window open throughout the year. Have a draft and get rid of the auctions. For crying out loud, get rid of the auctions. I have been saying this even when I was playing.”
Uthappa, who has scored 4,952 runs in 205 IPL matches—including a standout 660-run Orange Cap season—believes the league should operate more like global professional leagues with long-term planning and franchise continuity.
Pushing for evolution: a longer, strategic IPL
Beyond criticizing the auction format, Uthappa also called for a fundamental shift in the IPL’s duration and purpose. Currently confined to just over two months, the IPL’s short format, according to Uthappa, limits its potential to grow into a globally dominant sporting product.
“They are not going beyond the entertainment mindset, for TV. Even a draft can be great TV. You will get your fans engaging and create fan loyalty. Just get it going. I think it should be like a six-month league. You can have international fixtures in between. It has to evolve,” he said.
His remarks come at a time when the league’s operational model is under growing scrutiny, with an increasing number of stakeholders urging the BCCI to rethink everything from player retention to calendar placement.
High-profile trade heats up auction buzz
While Uthappa’s comments challenge the league’s core systems, the lead-up to the December 16 auction has been dominated by a blockbuster trade involving some of the league’s biggest names.
In one of the most high-profile swaps in IPL history, Rajasthan Royals traded long-time captain Sanju Samson to Chennai Super Kings in exchange for Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. Samson, who will play for CSK from the upcoming season, retains his current league fee of ₹18 crore (approx. US$ 2m).
Jadeja, a CSK veteran, will now earn ₹14 crore (approx. US$ 1.6m), down from ₹18 crore (approx. US $2m), while Curran also joins the Royals at his retained salary of ₹2.4 crore (approx. US$ 270.6k).
This dramatic reshuffle—conducted via the pre-auction trade window—offered a glimpse of the kind of strategic, year-round movement Uthappa advocates. His call to eliminate auctions altogether may not be implemented immediately, but it taps into a growing conversation about what the IPL needs to do to remain a truly global and forward-thinking sports league.
