'It is more respectful' - Robin Uthappa endorses draft system in IPL instead of auction

Each time an IPL player auction is conducted before a season, there is a significant amount of buzz that it brings with it. Over the years, these auctions have transformed the lives of many cricketers by providing them with life-changing monetary contracts. While some cricketers are left disappointed going unsold, many come out of the event as millionaires.

Even though the auction makes it a viewing spectacle for the fans, there also has been some critical opinions on it over the years. A recent voice speaking against the motion is that of Robin Uthappa. Uthappa who has himself bagged hefty contracts over the years believes that the IPL should be moving to the drafts system instead.

The CSK batter, who was sold for 2 crore in IPL 2022 mega auction, believes the auction system sometimes can lead cricketers into thoughts, wondering why they went unsold. While terming it harsh on players mental health, Uthappa commented that his heart goes out to the players who are unable to land a contract in the mega league.

“Playing for a team like CSK was something I desired, it was one of my only prayers: let’s get back to CSK. My family, even my son, prayed for that, which is special for me. I’m happy to be back in a place where there’s a sense of security and a sense of respect. There’s a backing that’s given which makes me feel like I can do anything.” Uthappa said while speaking to News 9

“You can’t imagine what the guys who don’t get sold go through. It cannot be pleasant. My heart goes out to guys who have been there for a long time and then miss out and don’t get picked. It can be defeating sometimes. Suddenly your value as a cricketer becomes about how much somebody is willing to spend on you, and it’s so haphazard… there is no method to the madness,”  he added

I really hope for the sake of the sanity of everybody that this goes into a draft system where it is more respectful: Robin Uthappa

The former KKR opener is of the suggestion that a draft system is something the BCCI can consider instead of the auctions. Calling the draft system as a more respectful method, Uthappa commented that a lot of people who are usually a part of the player auction have previously termed the process as ‘random’.

“People have tried their best to kind of grapple around it for the last 15 years, and I don’t know if they have a clue because if you speak to a lot of the people who have been there at the auction, they’ll say ‘you know it’s so random… if you’d come later you’d probably have made more money… if you’d come earlier there’d have been enough money so you’d have made more’. I really hope for the sake of the sanity of everybody that this goes into a draft system where it is more respectful.” Uthappa concluded.