End auction system, IPL for six months: Robin Uthappa suggests big changes

Originally posted on Crictoday | By V.M.Suriya Narayanan | Last updated Nov 20, 2025 11:45 PM ET

Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa has proposed that the Indian Premier League should move away from the auction system and instead implement year-round trade windows along with a draft system. He also suggested that the IPL should extend its duration from the current two and a half months to six months. Uthappa, who spoke on his YouTube channel, is a two-time IPL champion, once with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and once with Chennai Super Kings (CSK). With 4,952 IPL runs from 205 matches, including a 660-run Orange Cap-winning season with KKR, he shared his views on how the league should evolve.

“They’re not taking it beyond the start-up phase, and it’s baffling. You’re the biggest cricket league in the world and it is time to grow up and move forward. Stop with the auctions and keep the trade window open for a year. Introduce a draft and do away with the auctions. For God sake, just get rid of the auctions. I’ve been saying this even when I was playing,” Uthappa stated.

“They’re still stuck in the entertainment mindset for TV. But even a draft could make for great television. It would engage fans and build loyalty. Just make it happen. I believe the league should run for six months, with international fixtures in between. It’s time for the league to evolve,” he added.

The IPL auction is scheduled to be held in Abu Dhabi on December 16.

Leading up to the auction, one of the most significant trades in IPL history occurred. Sanju Samson, the longtime wicketkeeper-batter of the Rajasthan Royals (RR), was traded to five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK). In exchange, RR acquired Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. Samson joined Chennai for INR 18 crore, while Jadeja’s fee was reduced from INR 18 crore to INR 14 crore. Curran moved from CSK to RR at his existing price of INR 2.4 crore.

This article first appeared on Crictoday and was syndicated with permission.

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