The cricketing world is abuzz with anticipation as the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 auction approaches, scheduled to be held in Dubai on December 19. The ten IPL franchises are gearing up for a competitive battle to secure top-tier players for their squads. Initially, a staggering 1166 players submitted their names for the auction, but the franchises narrowed down their choices to 332 cricketers, releasing 834 players in the process.
Among the selected players, 214 are Indian, while the remaining are foreign cricketers. Notably, 116 players have prior experience in the extravagant T20 tournament, bringing a mix of seasoned talent to the auction. On the flip side, 215 cricketers are uncapped, offering teams an opportunity to invest in emerging talents.
Franchises are entering the bidding war with substantial budgets, with teams like Gujarat Titans leading the pack with ₹38.15 crores. The remaining budgets for other franchises, including Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, and Kolkata Knight Riders, vary, and they will strategically spend their amounts to fill the last slots in their squads. The auction process remains unchanged, with the 332 players categorized into 19 sets based on their cricketing roles, such as batters, all-rounders, wicketkeepers, fast bowlers, spinners, and uncapped players.
Bidding in the auction can start as low as ₹2 crores, with expectations that top players will command significantly higher amounts. Speculation is rife regarding which players will receive handsome rewards, adding an element of excitement to the mini-event. Given the players released by certain teams and the notable names up for grabs, there are predictions of substantial money being spent and significant moves being made.
The auction pool for IPL 2024 includes a mix of big names and promising young talents, setting the stage for potential bidding wars. Notably, 17-year-old Kwena Maphaka from South Africa will be the youngest participant, while 38-year-old batting all-rounder Mohammad Nabi from Afghanistan will be the oldest cricketer in the auction. Some players, such as England’s Rehan Ahmed, Bangladesh’s Taskin Ahmed, and Shariful Islam, have opted out of the auction at the last moment.
Adding a historic touch to the event, Mallika Sagar, who recently hosted the Women’s Premier League (WPL) auction, will be the auctioneer, replacing Hugh Edmeades. Sagar’s role as the first woman auctioneer in the last 16 years of IPL history marks a significant milestone for inclusivity in the cricketing world. As the auction unfolds, cricket enthusiasts eagerly await the outcomes, with the mix of experience, youth, and a pioneering auctioneer contributing to the excitement of the upcoming IPL season.
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