Hugh Edmeades interview: The Indian Premier League (IPL) has gone on to become the biggest T20 league – and one of the biggest sporting leagues – in the world since its inception in 2008. The build-up to each season is equally exciting, with the IPL auction adding to the frenzy and hype. Every auction has fans speculating and hoping for their teams to acquire top-class players who can help their team win the coveted trophy.
From 2018 to 2022, veteran auctioneer Hugh Edmeades conducted the IPL auctions. Over the years, the veteran sanctioned several legends of the game. It is to be noted that he has conducted more than 2,500 auctions, and has been an auctioneer for over three decades.
From the likes of Ben Stokes to Varun Chakaravarthy, Hugh has witnessed several intense bidding wars between several franchises during his five-year tenure as the auctioneer of the biggest T20 league in the world. Despite the massive responsibilities, he always ensured that he gave his absolute best for the event that his viewed by millions of cricket fans. As a matter of fact, he received a standing ovation when he came to conduct the final stage of the IPL auction in 2022.
During a recent interview with Arvind Kalyana Krishnan, Hugh Edmeades drew light on the fundamental aspects of an IPL auction and the events that unfold during the same. He also spoke about his experiences in this profession. While speaking to Arvind, Hugh also gave his opinion on a hypothetical scenario of Virat Kohli entering an IPL auction and what would happen according to him if the batting maestro were to ever put his name in an auction. Below is the entire interview with Hugh Edmeades.
Hugh Edmeades interview: “Virat Kohli would get upwards of 30 crore in an IPL auction”
Arvind: What would be your advice to sports management professionals and sports-based franchise representatives heading into an auction? What are the do’s and don’ts every sports management professional should know while participating in an auction?
Hugh: My initial advice to the representatives would be not to presume that they will be successful in securing any player they have set their hearts on. In other words, make sure they have a Plan B, C and indeed D, in case Plan A fails.
If you have attended an IPL Auction, you will see a myriad of laptops with spreadsheets, setting out all sorts of scenarios, allowing for all contingencies. The job of the auctioneer is considerably easier than that of the franchises, as they have to take into account the various limitations that the BCCI have imposed (budget, number of overseas players, number of retained players etc).
I would also suggest that the franchise doesn’t make their enthusiasm for a particular player too obvious to the other franchises. They need to be good poker players (not showing their hand).
Arvind: You’ve been an auctioneer for the IPL auctions for several years. Over the years, have you noticed any auction tactic/strategy adopted by an IPL franchise? Any specific auction tactic/strategy that was so impressive you still remember it?
Hugh: No, nothing obvious anyway – but then, I am concentrating too hard on making sure that I don’t miss any bids and ensuring fair play to all the franchises in allowing them enough time to make up their minds as to whether they want to continue with the bidding or indeed to enter the bidding at the very end.
Arvind: Every IPL auction has witnessed an intensive bidding war for one or many players. Has there been a bidding war that was so intensive and heated that even you were confused/shocked for a moment and had to be at the top of your toes for it?
Hugh: It is always gratifying when a young Indian player attracts a bidding war. One such player was Varun Chakaravarthy in the 2019 auction. His base price was 20 lakh and he was finally bought for 840 lakh.
Arvind: Virat Kohli is probably one of the biggest names in the cricketing world. However, he’s yet to be a part of an IPL auction. According to you, how much would Virat Kohli go for if he were a part of an auction? Despite this being a hypothetical scenario, how do you see this unfolding if it does happen?
Hugh: Without being flippant – how long is a ball of string? It would be the most amazing honour to offer Virat in an auction. As to the price, I imagine he would achieve in excess of 3,000 lakh.