Reports: IPL 2018 could have mid-season transfer window

What's the story?

In what could be a dramatic change in how the Indian Premier League works, the 2018 edition of the tournament could see the introduction of a mid-season transfer break, like it happens in the major European leagues. According to report from mid-day, a player can represent another team if he hasn't played the first seven matches of the season and the proposal was unanimously agreed by the eight team owners.

"There have been instances where a player gets only a few games and that too towards the business end of the tournament or warms the bench throughout the season. A team buys a certain player in the auction, but later finds it difficult to accommodate him in the playing XI due to their combination or team balance.

This proposal is a win-win situation for players and teams. The idea was discussed in the meeting and all owners/team representatives seemed convinced about it. The modalities will be worked out as soon as the IPL body accepts the proposal," a BCCI source told mid-day.

The heart of the matter

It is still unclear as to whether this will be a mini-auction that happens in the middle of the season or the "loan system" that is used in the European leagues, where players deemed surplus to requirements are loaned out, will be in place.

In case you didn't know...

This was among the proposals discussed during the meeting between BCCI officebearers, IPL Governing Council members, CoA and all team owners/representatives.

What's next?

The final call on the auction rules, player retention and the possibility of a mini-auction in between the IPL or a mid-season transfer window will be finalised in a fortnight in the IPL Governing Council meeting.

Author's take

Considering the amount of players who are often warming the benches, deemed surplus to requirements, by a certain team, this proposal certainly makes a lot of sense. When a side is crying out for a certain type of player and that player is on the bench for another side, seemingly with no chance of playing in the rest of the season, the idea of having him play for another team is a win-win scenario for all concerned. Although it will be interesting to see if they go for another auction or just a mid-season transfer window like the European leagues, where any team is open to get their hands on the player.