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It’s that time again – the IPL auction is upon us, a pivotal day that will shape the destinies of numerous players. Who will secure new homes, and who might remain unsold? Which players will command hefty price tags, and will there be any unexpected surprises? Here’s your comprehensive guide to the upcoming 2024 IPL auction.
Wait, another auction? Is it similar to last year’s?
Indeed, it is. This is a mini auction, the final one before the IPL heads into another mega auction leading up to IPL 2025. The 10 IPL teams have retained and traded some players, focusing on filling the remaining slots. Unlike the mega auction, the core of each team stays relatively intact during a mini auction.
Fascinating! How many slots are up for grabs?
According to the BCCI, a total of 1166 players registered for this year’s auction. Teams have shortlisted 333 names, comprising 214 Indians and 119 overseas players. Of these, 116 players are capped, 215 are uncapped, and two players are from Associate nations. Across the 10 teams, 77 slots remain to be filled, with 30 reserved for overseas players.
Great! When and where is this auction happening?
The auction is set for December 19 in Dubai, marking the first time it’s being held overseas.
With all this talk about money, how much do the teams have left to spend?
Gujarat Titans lead with the highest remaining purse of INR 38.15 crore (USD 4.6 million approx.) to fill eight slots (two overseas). On the other end, Lucknow Super Giants have the smallest purse of INR 13.15 crore (USD 1.58 million approx.) to fill six slots (two overseas). Collectively, the franchises have a remaining purse of INR 262.95 crore (USD 31.58 million approx.). Each team’s specific positions to fill are outlined here.
Impressive numbers! How does the auction process unfold?
Players are categorized into 19 sets based on their specialization: batter, all-rounder, fast bowler, spinner, and wicketkeeper. The auction will see capped and uncapped players alternating after a few sets.
Who are the big names in terms of base prices?
A total of 23 players have set their base price at the highest bracket of INR 2 crore (USD 240,000 approx.), including Mitchell Starc, Travis Head, Umesh Yadav, and Shardul Thakur. Thirteen players have listed their base price at INR 1.5 crore (USD 180,000 approx.).
Are there notable absentees this time?
The English trio of Ben Stokes, Joe Root, and Jofra Archer have withdrawn, along with Kedar Jadhav, Litton Das, and Shakib Al Hasan.
Which players could trigger bidding wars?
Mitchell Starc, returning after an eight-year hiatus, is expected to attract significant attention and bids. Rachin Ravindra, with a base price of INR 50 lakh (USD 60,000 approx.), may also be a hot prospect after an impressive ODI World Cup.
Any promising uncapped players to watch?
Keep an eye on sought-after uncapped talents such as Arshin Kulkarni, Kumar Kushagra, and Musheer Khan.
Alright, but what about this retained/traded list?
Find the full list of players retained, released, and traded before the trading window closed on November 26 here.
Can teams still make changes before the auction?
No, the retention/release deadline has passed. However, the player trading window reopens on December 20, the day after the auction, allowing teams to make further changes up to a month before the start of the 2024 season.
Lastly, who will be the auctioneer?
Mallika Sagar, who recently hosted the WPL auction, will be the auctioneer – the first woman in 16 years of the IPL.
When does the IPL auction start, and where can we watch it?
The player auction kicks off at the Coca Cola Arena in Dubai at 11:30 am local time (1:00 pm IST). Catch the live broadcast on the Star Sports Network on TV and stream it on the JioCinema app.