‘Dummy’ Players in IPL? Sunil Gavaskar Calls Out Franchises

The Indian Premier League has served as a breeding ground for many of India's most talented cricketers. Legends like Ravichandran Ashwin and Jasprit Bumrah, as well as emerging prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi have all benefited from the tournament's exposure and went on to forge illustrious careers for themselves.

Former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar there is another side to the IPL tale. Despite many rising to fame several players are snapped up for huge sums at the auction but are simply not capable of performing at the elite level when given a chance.

In his column for Sportstar, Gavaskar lamented the amount of money franchies are shelling out for players who have previously excelled at the local level but fail to perform against the quality of opposition in the IPL.

Gavaskar Question IPL Scouting System

The former batsman feels that state and city-level league performances may not always translate to the IPL. The caliber of play in state and city-level tournaments is significantly lower than what players face in the IPL according to him.

Gavaskar Observed :

"A lot of the big hitters in the various State and city leagues that have sprouted up were exposed when faced with the international quality of bowling in the IPL." 

Furthermore scouts need to be meticulous when looking for new talent and should not fall for player agents or recent form.

Gavaskar added :

"In the State and city leagues, the standard of both batting and bowling is nowhere near as good, and unless the scouts have a discerning eye and don't get swayed by player agents, the franchises will keep picking players based on these performances and find they have wasted their money," 

He also highlighted how some teams splash huge sums on players only to bench them after a match or two, which proves that scouting must have flaws.

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One-Match Heroes Continue To Get Chances

The legend was particularly scathing about players who bag contracts through a single memorable performance.

Sunil said :

"When a franchise picks a player for crores and then doesn't play him in more than a couple of games, it tells you that their scouts and advisers have sold them a dummy. The IPL very quickly finds a player out as being overrated and overvalued."

He concluded : 

"Yet there will be players who will have one performance in the tournament, and it's usually in a match of not much consequence for their team, and on the basis of that performance be picked for another year. One could make at least four teams of such one-match performers who will be picked again and again in the IPL."

The IPL founded in 2008 has concluded 19 seasons. Royal Challengers Bengaluru won the latest edition of the tournament while Rajasthan Royals emerged champions in the inaugural season. Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians have each won five titles and are the most successful franchises in the competition.

Despite his reservations, Gavaskar's comments are a crucial reminder to franchies of the importance of scouting for long-term talent rather than fleeting moments of brilliance.