Former India player Robin Uthappa shared what he thought should change in the IPL after the 2026 edition. However, RCB won the trophy and successfully defended their title as well. Uthappa added that Indian players must be given the freedom to
participate in franchise leagues across the globe as well. He also stated that it would help Indian players get used to the conditions before any big tournament in a foreign country.

“I want to change one thing in the IPL that Indian players should be allowed to play in different leagues. I always wanted to play more leagues to enrich myself as a cricketer. It’s also why I retired early, according to me. Leverage the opportunity. If there is a World Cup in Australia, allow ten players to go and play the Big Bash. That’s the angle that I don’t get, and I think we are still stuck,” he said on Commboxtv.

“That’s not going to change. It’s the Indian Premier League. That won’t change. One of the reasons we have youngsters like Vaibhav coming through the ranks is because this exists, right? From an Indian cricket standpoint, it will be a disservice,” he again added.

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Robin Uthappa also shared a few more things that he would want to change in the IPL. He said that each team should be
allowed to use 14 players and make substitutions, like in football as well.

“I’d either allow 14 to play, or not have the impact player rule at all. Bring in full substitutions or remove it completely. Every franchise should own their own stadium. I’d love the draft system to come in instead of the auctions. It would be really entertaining. People are not maximising that. I would also have a junior development IPL with all the same franchises. I mean a U-18, U-19 (thing). We’ve got the likes of Vaibhav Suryavanshi coming through. I think the IPL should be a 4-5 month affair,” he said.

“We’re going to see the onset of Vaibhav-like players. Priyansh Arya, Urvil Patel, Prabhsimran Singh. These guys are going to come through. When they do, they will not be focusing on red-ball cricket at all. Their game is not going to be set up for red-ball. You will have a set of certain segmented people, like Easwaran (who could go to Tests, and everyone else comes to T20). I’m not saying everyone will miss out. Some will play three or two formats. Then the onus is on the player, and they should be given that autonomy to pick and choose,” Robin Uthappa concluded.