The IPL auction for the 2026 season is scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi on December 16.
Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa has suggested the BCCI to move on from the concept of auctions in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and have "trade windows" open throughout the year in addition to adopting draft system.
Uthappa also opined that the league should move on from its two and the half month to a "six-month league".
"They are not taking it beyond the start-up stage. It is baffling. You are the leading cricket league in the world. Mature now. Just get on with it. Stop with the auctions and keep the trade window open throughout the year. Have a draft and get rid of the auctions. For crying out loud, get rid of the auctions. I have been saying this even when I was playing," Uthappa said while speaking on his YouTube Channel.
"They are not going beyond the entertainment mindset, for TV. Even a draft can be great TV. You will get your fans engaging and create fan loyalty. Just get it going. I think it should be like a six-month league. You can have international fixtures in between. It has to evolve," he added.
The IPL auction for the 2026 season is scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi on December 16.
Leading up to the auction, one of the high-profile swap deals took place during the trade window, involving Sanju Samson and Ravindra Jadeja.
As part of the trade agreement, Samson joined Chennai Super Kings (CSK) while Rajasthan Royals received the services of Jadeja and Sam Curran.
Samson moved to CSK at his existing fee of ₹18 crore while Jadeja took a salary cut to return to his former franchise. The seasoned all-rounder’s league fee has been revised from ₹18 crore to ₹14 crore.
On the other hand, England all-rounder Curran joined RR at his existing league fee of ₹2.4 crore.