As the Indian Premier League gears up for its 2024 season, anticipation surges over the impending mini-auction that has cricket enthusiasts and franchises abuzz with strategies and speculations. Scheduled for December 19 in the opulent city of Dubai, this year’s auction promises to be a spectacular event, studded with prominent cricketers who shined at the World Cup 2023.
The latest reports by Cricbuzz reveal a staggering 1,166 players have thrown their hats in the ring for the IPL 2024 auction. An overwhelming majority of 830 are hopefuls from the host nation, India, complemented by 336 ambitious overseas players, all eager to secure a spot in the world-renowned cricket extravaganza.
A total of 25 players, seasoned and skilled, have positioned themselves in the apex bracket with a base price of INR 2 crore. The list features an illustrious cohort from Australia, with seven members of their World Cup-winning squad, including the formidable Mitchell Starc, Steve Smith, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Sean Abbott, and Pat Cummins. Representing India in the top tier are the renowned Harshal Patel, Umesh Yadav, Kedar Jadhav, and Shardul Thakur.
Sensational World Cup star Rachin Ravindra, keeping in tune with a more modest approach, has marked his base price at INR 50 lakh. In a turn that has stirred surprise throughout the cricketing fraternity, Jofra Archer’s name is conspicuously absent from the auction list. Despite being snapped up by Mumbai Indians in the previous mega auction, Archer’s subsequent injury-riddled seasons have perhaps led to his unexpected omission from the pool of contenders.
Other international heavyweights casting their bids at a base price of INR 2 crore include Gerald Coetzee, who as South Africa’s leading wicket-taker impressed many during the World Cup, alongside stars like Lockie Ferguson, Harry Brook, Rilee Rossouw, and Angelo Mathews.
The IPL’s administration will facilitate a vetting process to streamline this expansive list of candidates. Franchises are set to submit their shortlists, ensuring only the most sought-after talents are presented at the auction for what promises to be an exhilarating round of strategic purchasing.
With a collective budget of INR 262.95 crore, the ten spirited teams will compete to fill 77 available slots within their rosters, of which 30 are allocated for overseas players. The strategic considerations and financial muscle at play are expected to yield an intense and enthralling auction experience.
The impending auction can be seen as a melting pot of cricketing talent, with established stars and hidden gems alike vying for a chance to exhibit their prowess on the IPL stage. As franchise think-tanks huddle in the war rooms, plotting and planning their bids, fans worldwide are set to witness an auction that not only determines the composition of their beloved teams but also foretells the intrigue of the battles within the upcoming IPL season. The stage is set in Dubai for what is to be a defining moment in cricket’s commercial history.