Thread by @KShriniwasRao

Some random thoughts in a #Thread #IPL2022Retention

Technically, deadline to submit list of retained players is around 8.30-9 pm. Who knows -- there could still be last-minute stitching of a deal?Once lists are submitted, there's a tv show scheduled at around 9.30 pm. (1/15)

But here's what I was generally thinking: Franchises who have worked for years on setting up their own robust ecosystems have to now suddenly let go of homegrown players. How unfair is that!

Mumbai Indians, for example, can choose only one betwn Hardik, Surya and Ishan. (2/15)

Look at Chennai Super Kings. Even for sake of posterity they can't hold back Faf du Plessis -- their MVP this yr. As much as they'd like to hold back Shardul Thakur, there's no space.

What does this all mean? Those years of investing in a good team amount to nothing? (3/15)

Fair enough -- there has to be a balance between teams so that competition is good. The two new teams also must have good players.

But let's be realistic -- has the competition been up to mark in the last 2 seasons? Some franchises have just been consistently poor. (4/15)

There are franchises that are unable to hold back even two good-quality players. While some franchises have a problem of plenty, some others want to start afresh again. Why? Because they made wrong decisions in the previous auctions.

What does that tell us? (5/15)

It tells us that balance in competition was missing anyway. A salary purse was supposed to be USP of this league -- so that one or two franchises did not have an unfair advantage over others in terms of spending.

That's what differented IPL from other global leagues. (6/15)

Look at La Liga for example. Real Madrid and Barcelona could spend multiple times in excess of the others in the league. Result? How many La Liga matches are actually consumed by fans in general outside of the Clasico and maybe when Atletico are playing? (7/15)

Now the two new IPL franchises can approach players and sign them. What's the guarantee that there won't be deals on the side to lure players? Didn't we see this happen in 2010 in IPL?

Has the BCCI set enough filters to monitor this? There are two many questions. (8/15)

I'm hearing there won't be another mega-auction after this. And that I think is good. Auction should be abolished now. It has served its purpose. Now let this be the survival of the fittest. Let the franchise build their own ecosystems from here on. (9/15)

Going fwd, if a franchise fails to do this adequately, let it suffer or perish. This is, after all, a business. Those doing good work can't be made to suffer for someone else's lack of foresight or indulgences. In my previous threads I've explained IPL's business model. (10/15)

Every existing franchise is making good money. Some more, some less. And in the end, if we cut thru all the clutter, it's good cricket alone that helping build the brand. And some teams have lacked mostly on that front. For the IPL to retain its charm, this must change. (11/15)

Let's say a certain player tells his franchise, "look I can't continue with you. I see better prospects elsewhere".

Franchise reluctantly lets him go only to buy him again at auction. What purpose does it solve? Will the player be happy?

Shouldn't it work both ways? (12/15)

The BCCI must work towards a far more free and fair market. As much as an employer can decide who he wants to hire, the employee too must be free to decide who he wants to work with. That's when things get interesting. (13/15)

It's high time the IPL starts focusing on building a legacy. No more constant chopping and changing. I told my 7 yr old son KL Rahul won't play for Punjab anymore. Doubt he'll bother watching a Punjab game anymore. He just loves KL. Does that tell us something? (14/15)

Hoping this is the last so-called "retention" and "mega auction" in IPL. Let there be a robust, highly transactional trading window every year. Make franchise balance sheets more accountable. The BCCI must infuse energy and now is that time. (15/15)