Aakash Chopra calls out Ramiz Raja for wanting to introduce auction model in PSL

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ramiz Raja showed his intent to introduce an auction system in the Pakistan Super League to bring a major change in elevating the league to new heights.

PSL is currently following the draft system for the past seven editions of HBL PSL, where a price limit is set according to the player's category.

"The market forces are conducive, but we'll sit down with the franchise owners to discuss it. This is a game of money. When the cricket economy grows in Pakistan, our respect will rise. The main driver of that financial economy is the PSL. If we take the PSL to auction model increase the purse, then I'll put it in the IPL bracket. And then we'll see who goes to play the IPL over the PSL," Ramiz told ESPNCricinfo.
 
Meanwhile, former Indian opener Aakash Chopra responded to Ramiz's statement and said that the market dynamics will not allow the franchises to buy players at the same price as the Indian Premier League.

"There's money from selling rights; on the basis of that, and you analyze the value of the league and the value of the teams. Then, you divide the purse and start the league," said Chopra on his official YouTube channel.
 
"If the auction system is introduced price limit will increase, but you won't see a player being sold for ₹16 crores in PSL. It is not possible. Market dynamics are not going to allow that to happen. It's as simple as that," said Aakash on his official YouTube channel," he added.
 
 "The biggest thing that India has is the people who watch the game, and they're the ones who pay a lot of money. Our population of 130 crores is an asset," said Aakash.

Further, Aakash said that the number of eyeballs viewing the league determines the value of a league.
 
"You don't have 100 crore people. Suppose Rohit Sharma plays in the PSL. Do you think the broadcaster, who was, let's assume, earlier paying 7000 crores, will suddenly increase the money to ₹35,000 crores? It isn't as if more people in Pakistan will start watching because a Virat Kohli or a Rohit Sharma is playing in PSL. You can maybe consider a 10 percent increase in viewership from the NRIs, but that is not going to suddenly increase your valuation," said Aakash.
 
"India has the audience. It's not down to the Indian players. It is not down to the player salaries. It is not down to auction or draft. I don't think anyone can compete with the Indian Premier League. So, Ramiz bhai, with all due respect, the truth is that cricket economics is not going to work with draft or auction." Chopra concluded

The latest edition of the Indian Premier League will start from March 26, Where IPL's most successful team Chennai led by MS Dhoni, will face off two-time champion Kolkata in Mumbai.

The 15th season of the league has introduced two new teams in the league. Lucknow Super Giants and Gujrat Titans.