I’m asking for transparency: Ex IPL Auctioneer Richard Madley shocked after being ‘dropped’ by BCCI
The BCCI had said Madley would be replaced by Hugh Edmeades, an independent fine art, classic car and charity auctioneer.
Richard Madley, best known for being the “hammerman” at the Indian Premier League auctions so far, said he was shocked and let down by BCCI’s decision to let him go and get a new auctioneer in place for this month’s auction. He was also surprised to see that he was replaced by another British auctioneer who happens to be older than him.
The BCCI on Wednesday (December 5) announced that Madley would be replaced by Hugh Edmeades, an independent fine art, classic car and charity auctioneer. Madley has conducted all the IPL auctions so far since the league began in 2008.
The 60-year-old had tweeted that he will miss his many friends and followers in India after the announcement, stating that he was not invited to conduct the IPL auction by BCCI.
“It was not my decision… In cricket terms I have been dropped.”
Madley said he was told that it was a part of a larger change in the auction process, but does not buy it.
“I have been told that the BCCI wants to ‘change up’ the auction with a new venue, new timings and I assumed then that they were going to bring in a newer, younger auctioneer. Perhaps an Indian auctioneer, which would be perfectly logical. Therefore I was surprised when my replacement is a British auctioneer, older than me, more grey hairs, heavier,” Madley told CricketNext.