The IPL 2024 season will commence on March 22 with a match between CSK and RCB. The league will welcome back several familiar faces. Australian players Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, who performed exceptionally well in the 2023 World Cup, were sold for over 20 crores each. However, their high salaries were met with criticism due to pay disparity concerns during the IPL mini-auction, where players registered themselves to fetch higher bids.
In an interview ahead of the 17th edition of the league, Chairman Arun Dhumal acknowledged concerns over pay disparity within the IPL and committed to conducting a thorough review. Dhumal said they are committed to addressing the pay gap and will review their policies accordingly. They have received various proposals and will engage with franchise stakeholders before finalizing any decisions.
Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins were purchased for INR 24.75 crore and INR 20.50 crore, respectively. Starc was acquired by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), while Cummins joined Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the mini-auction.
IPL officials are considering setting a ceiling on individual player prices to address the pay imbalance during mini-auctions and mega-auctions, instead of replacing auctions with drafts entirely.
Looking ahead to the next season, the BCCI remains committed to preserving the excitement and unpredictability that mega auctions bring to the league despite significant team restructuring following the mega auction. The competitive spirit of the IPL must be maintained with the introduction of new franchises. Dhumal emphasized that retaining players is a topic of discussion, but a cap of four retentions per team ensures balance and prevents squads from becoming too homogeneous.
To enhance fan engagement, IPL organizers have introduced innovations to playing conditions. Last year, they introduced the Impact Player rule, and this season they will allow two bouncers per over. According to a spokesperson, continuous innovation is vital to keep the IPL experience fresh and captivating for fans. The introduction of new elements like the two-bouncer rule aims to elevate the excitement levels of the game.