IPL 2018: All you need to know about the mid-season transfer policy

Everyone discusses how crucial Indian Premier League’s (IPL) role was in shaping cricket in a much lucrative and attractive manner. But to be fair, it was the English Premier League, which was re-launched in 1992, that changed the dynamics of the entire sporting fraternity. Despite all the fan bases and the rich histories English clubs carried forward into the new league, no one ever imagined club Football can be such a huge source of income.

Even the IPL, which became such a turning point in cricket history, was inspired by the EPL. Although IPL has attained stratospheric heights over the course of the previous decade, it still has a long way to go. Star India bagging the broadcasting rights for a mind-boggling Rs. 16,347 Crore for the next five years is a good example of the League’s value in the market. The next edition of the IPL will be coming up with a lot of changes, not just to attract more viewers, but to ensure more players can benefit from it.

What is a mid-season Transfer?

The latest news coming from the IPL governing body is that all the teams have responded positively towards the mid-season transfer policy. All the cricket fans who watch a lot of Football got really excited (Like me) when they heard of this, but still there are a lot of people who are oblivious to this entire scenario.

In simple terms, the title aptly describes what it is. It allows the team management to buy or sell players from other teams during the course of the tournament. In most of the Football and Baseball Leagues, this transfer market period comes into play after all the teams have completed 50% of their matches.

If this is really implemented in the IPL, it might come into play after the League has completed 30 matches or after each team has played a minimum of 7 matches. A cricketer who is not exactly fitting into the plans of his present team can move forward to another team, where he can get more opportunities to play. This can benefit both the club and the player mutually.

Will it be helpful?

Without a shadow of a doubt! For instance, EPL club Manchester United, who have been performing exceedingly well in the ongoing season, are desperately in need of a world-class Right-Winger (It is a playing position, just like we have third-man or fine-leg in cricket). Gareth Bale, who is a master in that position, is currently not getting enough games at his present club Real Madrid due to various reasons.

Henceforth, United management is looking to get the player’s contract signed when the mid-season transfer window opens on January 1st. Although it looks highly unlikely to happen, this transfer would benefit Real Madrid financially and Manchester United’s worries will be put to bed.

Similarly, in IPL, Trent Boult played just one game in Sunrisers Hyderabad‘s triumphant campaign in 2016. A bowler of such high quality, who easily qualifies as one of the best in the generation, was warming the bench for a month and a half. This is when the transfer window is at its best, helping the player get a few games and prove his talent, which ultimately is the reason why this League is conducted.

A team has to be explicitly sure before selling a player in this window. They have to keep an account of the backups they have and only when they believe a particular transfer will not have a significant impact, they must proceed. Although no one is precisely sure of how they’ll make it an integral part of the existing IPL system, this policy can bring about a drastic change in the League.