A few days ago, Richard Madley tweeted that he will not be a part of the IPL 2019 auctions this year and has been replaced by Hugh Edmeades, a charity and classic cars auctioneer with more than thirty years of experience. The IPL 2019 auction will take place on December 18, 2018, in Jaipur. Now, in an interview with a website, Madley has gone on record and has questioned the BCCI’s decision of snubbing him. Madley terms this incident as a bolt out of the blue as he has always received a positive response from the franchisees and fans for the way he conducted the auctions in these 11 years. IPL 2019 Auctions: Richard Madley to Miss the Event; Says He Has Been ‘Dropped’

There was no explanation given to Madley for the snub and also said that Hugh Edeamdes has no experience of conducting IPL auctions, therefore, it was illogical to replace him with a man who is older to him. “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! He’s a good friend of mine, I've known Hugh for many years. But he's a first-class art auctioneer who has no experience of IPL. Therefore, it is illogical to me to replace me with somebody who is almost my mirror image. That, to me, is the one area that hurts,” said Madley. IPL 2019 Auction: Former Rajasthan Royals’ Jaydev Unadkat Beats Yuvraj Singh to Enter the Highest Base Price?

The BCCI even asked him if he was available for the auction this year and Madley even confirmed his availability. Madley also said that BCCI mentioned to him that the BCCI was considering other auctioneers for this year. The former IPL auctioneer just wants to hear the truth for his peace of mind and professional integrity.

Madley said conducting the IPL auction was a ‘part of my DNA’. According to him, the BCCI made this decision for one auction only. However, he is doubtful if he would be back in the future due to the damages done as he feels like a batsman who scores a double century and is dropped by the selectors for no reason.

“However, a good cricketer will put his head down, make more runs in state cricket and get a recall. Of course I'm not going to say I'll never return. But I feel the damage might be done and it might be difficult for the BCCI to eat humble pie and accept this decision was the wrong one, and in doing so, upset what is the greatest auction in the world,” said Madley.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 15, 2018 08:52 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).