Batting great Sunil Gavaskar has expressed his disapproval of the increasing salary cap allocated to uncapped players in the Indian Premier League. In his opinion, this practice can inadvertently hinder their on-field performances. The hefty price tag attached to these players often creates undue pressure to consistently deliver performances that justify their high earnings.
To accommodate Mahendra Singh Dhoni the limit was raised to Rs 4 crore: Sunil Gavaskar
Moreover, Gavaskar believes that the big bucks early in their careers might also diminish their drive and ambition to fully explore and achieve their potential as cricketers. The former India captain contends that this trend could ultimately have adverse consequences for the future of Indian cricket. To mitigate this potential negative impact, Gavaskar suggests that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) should consider implementing a reduction in the salary cap specifically allocated for retaining uncapped players.
“To accommodate Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who became an uncapped player before the auction last year, the limit was raised to Rs 4 crore. Maybe it is time to relook at that and reduce it further so that Indian cricket does not lose out on talent that seems to flounder its way with the pressure when auctioned for crores," Gavaskar wrote in his column for Sportstar.
Gavaskar further elaborates on his concern by highlighting that while an uncapped player's inability to live up to their high salary and subsequent disappearance from the cricketing scene might not affect a franchise's overall prospects, it undeniably represents a loss for the broader landscape of Indian cricket. The potential talent and future contributions that player could have made are ultimately unrealized.
“A whole lot of the players bought for huge amounts simply fade away as their hunger and drive are satiated. To the franchises, it perhaps doesn’t matter as they may feel it’s good riddance, but Indian cricket takes a bit of a beating at the loss of any player whether he has been successful or not," Gavaskar further wrote.
The 75-year-old batting legend also points out that young, uncapped players who suddenly find themselves wealthy after securing lucrative IPL contracts may struggle to cope with their newfound fortune. This significant change in their financial status, coupled with the experience of sharing the dressing room and interacting with established international stars, could potentially overwhelm them.
“Most of the guys who suddenly become crorepatis are overwhelmed, firstly by their sudden good fortune and then by the nervousness of getting to rub shoulders with those they have admired and perhaps never even dreamt of meeting. They are often not even part of their state’s squad of top 30 players. So now, to get into a group where there are great players in the game from different countries with different styles, approaches, and even different accents is never easy," he concluded.