Arun Dhumal, the chairman of the Indian Premier League (IPL), expressed his commitment to collaborating with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to address the pay gap among players, particularly during auctions, including the mini ones. As per a Hindustan Times report, Dhumal highlighted this objective in response to Mitchell Starc's remarkable deal of 24.75 crore with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), stressing the importance of reducing disparities in player compensation.
During the IPL 2024 mini-auction that was held at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena on December 19, 2023, the combination of hefty franchise budgets and a limited number of available slots led to extravagant spending.
Mitchell Starc & Pat Cummins’ Record-Breaking IPL Deals
Mitchell Starc, signed by the Kolkata Knight Riders for ₹24.75 crore and Pat Cummins, acquired by the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) for ₹20.50 crore, shattered the record for the most expensive signings twice. In contrast, the highest bid for an Indian player was ₹11.75 crore, for Harshal Patel, which was less than half of Starc's record-breaking deal.
We Will Conduct A Review: Arun Dhumal
Dhumal acknowledged the pay disparity issue in IPL auctions, stating that a review will be conducted to devise a new policy addressing the issue.
“We have taken note of the pay disparity it creates. We will definitely conduct a review and come out with a new policy to address the issue. A few ideas have come in. We will discuss with the franchises as well before deciding further," Dhumal said in an interview with Hindustan Times.
Dhumal defended the decision to maintain mega-auctions, emphasising their necessity for new franchises to build their teams. He highlighted the need for variety in squads to maintain the competitiveness of the IPL, suggesting that retaining more than three to four players would diminish the essence of a mega auction.
“When new franchises come in, how would they form their team?" Dhumal asked. “In an engaging competition like IPL, people must keep their thinking cap on. We offer the option of retaining three to four players to the teams. If you go beyond four, it will not feel like a mega auction. There would be sameness in the squads,” he said further.
Dhumal’s Take on IPL vs Ranji Trophy
Dhumal expressed his perspective on the IPL versus Ranji Trophy debate, highlighting that players still prioritise international cricket and the pride associated with representing their country. He cited examples of players like Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan, who are motivated to regain their central contracts. Dhumal emphasised that while franchises focus on winning the IPL trophy, they also value their players representing India and growing as cricketers.
“When it comes to IPL, the franchises will take the call. The teams are here to win the trophy. But even franchises would want their players to play for India and become bigger players,” Dhamal said.