Sunrisers Hyderabad CEO Kavya Maran proposes IPL retention and auction process reforms

NEW DELHI: Kavya Kalanithi Maran, CEO of Sunrisers Hyderabad, presented several proposals to reform the retention and auction processes in the Indian Premier League (IPL) during a recent meeting with IPL team owners and BCCI authorities.
Her proposals aim to increase flexibility for franchises, ensure fair market pricing for players, and maintain the integrity of the competition.The key suggestions include a minimum of six retentions or Right to Match (RTM) options per franchise and removing the cap on the number of foreign players who can be retained.
Maran's primary proposal is to allow franchises a minimum of six retentions or RTM options ahead of the mega auction. She explained that these could be used in various combinations, such as four retentions and two RTMs, all six retentions, or all six RTMs.

"We can use it as four retentions and two RTMs, or all six retentions, or all six RTMs and so on. The choice on whether a retention or RTM is used should be with the franchise based on discussions with the player," she was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
Addressing concerns about player satisfaction with retention amounts, Maran suggested that players should be allowed to either be retained or go to auction at a market-discovered price to avoid any disputes over retention amounts.

"There have been numerous instances in the past where a player has preferred to go to the auction when he has felt that the retention amount is on the lower side. There have also been instances where multiple players have felt that they should be the first retention, and if not retained as first, they have asked to be put in the auction instead. To avoid this, we can give the players the chance to either be retained or RTM at the market discovered price, ensuring that the player is not disgruntled about the retention price," Maran said.
Maran also highlighted the need to remove the cap on retaining foreign players. She argued that each team is built differently, with some relying more on their overseas players.
"Each team is built differently and the core strengths of various squads are different. Some have strong overseas players, some have strong capped Indian players, and some strong uncapped players. In our case, we have a strong core of overseas players. The number of capped/uncapped/overseas players retained should be at the discretion of the franchise and not restricted," she argued.
In light of issues with players not honoring their commitments, Maran proposed banning players who do not show up after being purchased at the auction, unless due to injury.
"After being selected in the auction, if a player doesn't come to play the season for any reason apart from injury, he should be banned," she said.
This proposal followed an incident involving Sunrisers Hyderabad and Wanindu Hasaranga, who withdrew from IPL 2024 citing injury amid speculation that it was due to his low bid compared to his past salary.
Regarding retired players, Maran advocated for their fair treatment in the auction. She believes retired players bring valuable experience and brand value, which is not reflected if they are classified as uncapped.
"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," Maran said.
Finally, Maran suggested changes to how money is deducted from the overall salary cap for retained players. She proposed that the money deducted should be an overall pot based on the number of players retained, with franchises having the discretion to decide how to split the amount among retained players.
"The money deducted from the overall salary cap for pre-auction retentions must be an overall pot based on the number of players retained and should not be individual amounts for first retention, second retention, and so on. The franchise should have the discretion of how they split the amount among the retained players," she suggested.
Maran's comprehensive proposals aim to enhance strategic flexibility for IPL franchises, safeguard the interests of players, and maintain the league's integrity.