(Source X)
Kavya Maran, the CEO of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), has proposed recommendations to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) concerning player retention ahead of the upcoming mega auction. Maran emphasized that retired players such as MS Dhoni should not be categorized as uncapped players during the retention process.
During a recent meeting at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai on July 31, officials from the BCCI gathered feedback from owners of Indian Premier League franchises on various topics, including player regulations and commercial aspects like central merchandising, licensing, and gaming.
Present at the meeting were Shah Rukh Khan (Kolkata Knight Riders), Ness Wadia (Punjab Kings), Kiran Kumar Grandhi (Delhi Capitals), Sanjiv Goenka (Lucknow Super Giants), Rupa Gurunath (Chennai Super Kings), and Manoj Badale (Rajasthan Royals). Owners of Mumbai Indians participated via video conference.
Prior to the 2022 IPL mega auction, the BCCI had implemented a rule allowing franchises to retain only four players, with all others heading to the auction. This rule remains unchanged unless revisions are made following the recent discussions with franchise owners. It’s noteworthy that the ‘Right To Match’ (RTM) rule had been abolished by the BCCI in the previous auction cycle.
Senior Players Have Immense Value In The IPL – Kavya Maran
Following the meeting, Kavya Maran avoided naming MS Dhoni directly but put forth the suggestion that retired players should not be classified as uncapped players. Emphasizing the importance of senior players in terms of experience and brand value for the team, Maran argued that their worth should not be constrained by the uncapped player category.
“Senior players have immense value in the IPL. They bring experience and some also bring brand value. By restricting their value to the uncapped amount, we are disrespecting the player and his value. Some retired players can go for much more in the auction than being retained as uncapped pre-auction,” said Maran, as quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
Despite announcing his retirement from international cricket via a social media post on August 15, 2020, MS Dhoni remains an active player for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL. The veteran wicketkeeper relinquished the captaincy of the five-time champions ahead of the previous season.
It Sets A Wrong Precedent To Allow Senior Players – Kavya Maran
Kavya Maran expressed concern that retaining senior players as uncapped could establish an unfavorable precedent, particularly since new uncapped players often command higher salaries at auctions. She emphasized that the auction process should accurately determine the value of retired players.
“When new uncapped players get more money in the auction, it sets a wrong precedent to allow senior players to be retained as uncapped. Let the auction dictate the value and caliber of the retired player, thereby respecting their contribution to the game over the years,” Maran concluded.
Despite reaching the finals in this year’s tournament, the Hyderabad-based franchise, led by Pat Cummins, fell short against the Kolkata Knight Riders in the summit clash. In the IPL seasons from 2021 to 2023, they did not progress to the playoffs.
