Indian Premier League Needs a Mid-Season Draft: Dean Jones
Dean Jones feels mid-season draft would help sides get rid of players that are not fitting into their plans any longer.
Shane Watson, Shaun Marsh, Zaheer Khan haven't played a single game this IPL. Dale Steyn and Albie Morkel have played only one game. Which is why Dean Jones believes it is time for a mid-season draft in the IPL. (Full IPL Coverage)
"Is it fair that we are not seeing Dale Steyn, Shane Watson, Shaun Marsh playing? I think it is time for a draft, a mid-season draft. Right now Mumbai Indians would love to have Shane Watson open the batting and then bowl a little bit." said Jones to NDTV. (Fixtures | Points Table)
Jones explained how the mid-season draft would also help sides get rid of players that are not fitting into their plans any longer.
"Mumbai Indians should really get rid of Parthiv Patel. He hasn't done enough. His strike rate opening the batting is 106 in 59 innings in the IPL. Franchisees are here to make money. Now if they want to get rid of a certain player, let's say Lasith Malinga, hypothetically, if a team says we will buy him for 10 crore, well get rid of him for 10 cr."
But the big question is how can you sell Malinga when nobody of better quality or in better form is available to buy?
"That's what the good thing about the draft is, it is about these little deals underneath," said Jones.
One thing is for certain; a mid-season draft would add a whole new dimension to the IPL and probably make it all the more interesting. The question is can the players handle the pressure of knowing that if they don't perform they could be drafted out in the middle of the season?