50 percent of the job in franchise cricket is done on the auction table: Gautam Gambhir

The stature of franchise cricket is growing up with each passing day. One of the key ways to achieve success in the T20 leagues is to have a good auction before the tournament.

The former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir also believes that having a great auction is very important for every franchise. Almost half of the problems get sorted at the auction table. Speaking to the IPL broadcaster Star Sports, the LSG team mentor Gambhir said that it's essential to get the basics right at the auction table and form a well-structured lineup. 

The southpaw stressed that fifty percent of the job is done on the auction table as the work of the team management becomes significantly easier if the auction goes as per their plan. However, Gambhir also clarified that there is no use of those players and their experiences if they don't live up to the expectations of the team on the field.

"The auction is very important. 50% of the job is done on the auction table. It helps the management when you pick a good side," Gambhir said. "But as long as they don't perform on the field, it doesn't matter even if you pick the best possible players. The franchise is new, but the players are not new. This is not an excuse as all the players are experienced," he further added. 

On being asked what the mentality of the players representing a new team should be, Gambhir said that playing for a newly added team is an opportunity that allows the players to leave a legacy from the very beginning. The Delhi-born batter said that the players shouldn't feel that they are doing very well as these types of thoughts lead to saturation and hinder any further improvement. 

"It helps all players come in with a clean slate without any baggage. There is no better opportunity than playing for a new franchise and leaving a legacy from the start," the ex-India international said. "The biggest secret to our success is that we have just one monster, and that is the franchise, LSG. There is no hero worship. In T20s and in the IPL, you can't brush things under the carpet. The day you start feeling that you are doing extremely well, your downfall starts. Still, a lot to improve," the 40-year-old concluded.