‘Baffling and outdated’: Two-time IPL winner urges BCCI to scrap auctions, suggests 'should be 6-month league'

Robin Uthappa, former India cricketer, proposed that the Indian Premier League (IPL) abandon the idea of auctions in favor of "trade windows" that are available all year long, along with a draft system. Talking on his YouTube channel, Uthappa said that the league ought to become a "six-month league" instead of a two-and-a-half-month league.

The two-time IPL champion shared his opinions on how the most popular T20 competition could evolve. Uthappa amassed 4,952 runs in 205 IPL games, which includes a 660-run Orange Cap campaign.

"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 said.

"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 added.