The Indian Premier League is on the rise, with its 18th season underway. Top players like Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer have pocketed over ₹20 crore. But it’s not just experienced players who are raking it in; new talent is also getting multi-crore deals.
The Uncapped Conundrum
The rules for uncapped players have changed, allowing established stars like MS Dhoni to be retained by franchises like Chennai Super Kings for ₹4 crore. Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar is worried about these rule changes. He thinks handing out big bucks can make players less hungry to play for Team India.
Gavaskar believes that franchises might benefit from the new rules, but Indian cricket could suffer. In his column for Sportstar, he wrote, “Most people who become millionaires overnight are overwhelmed. They struggle to handle the sudden fame and the people they admire.” He added, “It’s tough for an uncapped player to adjust to a team with international stars.” Gavaskar pointed out that it’s rare for a high-priced uncapped player to justify their selection.
The Pressure of Big Money
Gavaskar noted that players bought for crores often lose their edge. When their price drops in the next auction, the pressure eases, and they perform better. The current season has shown that players bought cheaply are delivering better results. The experience of playing alongside greats can be valuable, but lower expectations often help players relax and perform naturally.
The flip side is that big money can kill a player’s hunger and desire. While franchises may not be bothered, Indian cricket loses when a player fizzles out. Gavaskar suggested reconsidering the ₹4 crore cap for uncapped players. He believes it’s time to rethink this limit to prevent talented players from getting lost in the pressure of multi-crore bids.
Data-Driven Decisions
Gavaskar slammed the reliance on data analytics for player selection. He said it often boils down to luck or past performances in local leagues. Owners trust advisors with data, but they often overlook crucial factors like the quality of opposition, pitch conditions, and match context. Former players, when they act as scouts, might offer valuable insights, but their opinions are often ignored at the auction table.
In local leagues, conditions vary widely – boundary sizes, pitch types, and weather all impact performance. Yet, these factors aren’t captured by data. The context of a player’s performance – whether they scored quickly or under pressure – is also missed. Gavaskar’s critique highlights the limitations of relying solely on numbers to pick talent.