Over 10 years have passed since the major financial investments of T20 franchises in Bangladesh were made through a full auction process. The excitement of an auction is back as the BPL returns to using an auction to pick players for the 12th edition. Auctions were previously used in 2012 to select teams in 2012 and 2013, which is roughly around the same time that franchise cricket began developing in Bangladesh. More than just a nostalgic event, the return of the auction will allow BPL to increase transparency, competition, and strategy in how teams build their rosters. Franchises will need to be strategic with local players, who will be placed in one of six different categories, and international players in one of five different categories. Local players who are among the best in Bangladesh can cost up to 50 lakh taka, and international players who are among the best in the world will start at $35,000. Will the savvy bidding of franchises be able to shake up BPL dominance?
A New Era of Strategic Spending
Auctions will be an entirely new dimension in constructing squads; while the draft can favor speed over strategy, the auction requires each franchise to balance every single taka it has to spend on each player versus how much each player will contribute to its success. The cap on domestic players is BDT 4.5 Crore, and on foreign players is $350,000. It’s a delicate balance between having the best “stars” and the greatest “depth.” Leagues that use auctions have historically been successful when their franchises can strategically select quality domestic players and selectively invest abroad. The Dhaka Capitals and Rajshahi Warriors will likely be very strategic in their selection of both domestic and international players, since if either of them makes an ill-advised investment in any one player, it will limit their ability to acquire other players to fill holes in their roster.
Direct Signings vs Auction Calculus
Franchises are now allowed to pre-sign 1-2 local category “A” and 1-2 international player(s). While this allows franchises to lock down top players without the auction risk of bidding for them, there is a strategic aspect to be considered as well. Pre-signing your top player will limit your ability to bid on other players in the auction, forcing you to adjust your strategy accordingly. Historically, these types of dual paths have been successful when franchises can plan (long term) while being able to be agile at the same time—something franchises in the IPL have shown they are capable of doing.
Balancing Local and Foreign Talent
Bangladesh’s BPL has traditionally struggled to find a balance between its local and international elements, with the new system forcing teams to have at least eleven locals but no more than fifteen total players and only two to four international players on their active roster. The intent is for each team to develop a core group of local players as a solid base of talent that can be bolstered by international experience. This local-first model is one that has been seen successfully throughout the world and is generally viewed as better than the appeal of using high-priced international talent. A team that can combine the consistency of locally developed talent with the strategic use of quality international players could finally bring about a more even competitive balance to Bangladesh’s BPL.
Payment Structures and Player Commitment
The BPL is not simply raising the price of its players; it is also developing payment structures. through instalment-based contracts (25% upon signing 55% before the last league game, and 20% after the tournament), the BPL has implemented accountability within the financial process that demonstrates maturity. The instalment-based contract will also force franchises to be more fiscally responsible in their decision-making; if they are going to pay a large amount of money for one player, it will hurt the franchise in terms of budget down the line. Therefore, a franchise’s ability to be fiscally responsible will become directly related to its success both financially and tactically, which is a new paradigm for Bangladesh cricket.
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