Mumbai: Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra called for mid-season transfer in the IPL so that cricketers warming the bench get their due.
Many deserving cricketers are spending time in the dugout (not being picked) in the ongoing season of the cash-rich league.
The brunt is more on the overseas players; only four can feature in a match.
Champion all-rounder Corey Anderson has been sitting out in the Mumbai Indians dugout, Trent Boult is yet to feature in a match for Sunrisers Hyderabad. South Africa pacer Dale Steyn (Gujarat Lions) has only played in one match so far; so has Martin Guptill (Mumbai Indians).
It is unfortunate that these cricketers, despite being champions in their own right in international cricket, couldn’t find a place in their respective IPL teams.
The transfer makes sense for teams like Rising Pune Supergiants and Royal Challengers Bangalore have lost players due to injuries.
Kevin Pietersen, Steve Smith, Mitchell Marsh, Faf du Plessis and Samuel Badree have already gone back.
Hence, the injury-hit teams could be the platform for the benchers; though there have been replacements. Both the crops can fill in the void and make the franchises stronger.
Corey & Boult haven't played...Steyn, Guptill have hardly played. There's a strong case for a transfer-window during the IPL too.
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 2, 2016
