Owners switch attention to uncapped players

Following two days of intense and thrilling bidding accentuated by the inevitable drama the eventual figures were not only staggering as they were but in some cases puzzling.

Following two days of intense and thrilling bidding accentuated by the inevitable drama the eventual figures were not only staggering as they were but in some cases puzzling. Though only five of the 10 franchises went into the 2011 IPL auction with their entire purse intact,all put together,they ended up spending a total of $62.8 million,while 127 cricketers from the around the world earned themselves lucrative some enormous IPL contracts for the next two years.

More importantly,the IPL had following a successfully and smoothly conducted auction redeemed some much-required credibility in the wake of the competitions controversy-ridden recent past.

The next step for the franchises,however,will be that of signing up uncapped Indian domestic players to fill up their squads. And away from the glamour and the spotlight of the auction,it will be the transparency of these behind-the-screen signings,which will take place over the coming weeks,that will be crucial for the IPL to continue on its redemption-drive.

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It wasnt surprising then that it was the uncapped players issue that Royal Challengers Bangalore owner Vijay Mallya stressed upon as soon as the final bid was completed on Sunday evening.

I would like ask the board to pay particular attention to the terms and conditions laid down for the uncapped players. The board should be vigilant on the players as well as the teams. Some of the youngsters have very expensive ideas and that is the reason why they are not here in this auction, he said.

Only three of the franchises were still left with more than a million dollars in their kitty at the end of the auction. And it will be from their remaining purse that they will have to spend for the uncapped players whose salaries will be fixed depending upon the years they have played domestic cricket.

But while the IPL and the BCCI have insisted on ensuring that the process is completed in the most honest manner as possible,considering the history of the IPL,the fear of under-hand dealings will continue to loom large.

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And while admitting that the board were in a difficult situation with regards to the issue,IPL commissioner Chirayu Amin did ascertain that utmost vigilance will be maintained.

We will be monitoring. And as I mentioned earlier,if we come to know anything was done underhand we will take stern action against them, he said.

The IPL may have won back some goodwill over the weekend in Bangalore,but the onus will be on the board and the franchises to further enhance it from here.