The cricketing world is eagerly awaiting the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 auction set to take place in Dubai on Tuesday. The stage is set for a showdown as the 10 IPL franchises gear up to secure top-tier players for their squads.
Initially, a whopping 1166 players threw their hats into the ring, but only 332 made the cut after careful consideration by the franchises. Of these, 214 are Bharat players, while the remaining 118 are international cricketers. Among the participants, 116 have already showcased their skills in the extravagant T20 tournament, while 215 cricketers are uncapped, adding an element of fresh talent to the mix.
The franchises are armed with significant budgets for the bidding war. Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kolkata Knight Riders, Gujarat Titans, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings, Lucknow Super Giants, and Rajasthan Royals are ready to splash their cash to complete their squads. The amounts range from Rs 13.15 crores to Rs 38.15 crores, promising an intense battle for the desired players.
The auction process remains unchanged, with the 332 players divided into 19 sets based on their cricketing roles. These categories include batters, all-rounders, wicketkeepers, fast bowlers, spinners, and uncapped players. Franchises can start bidding from as low as Rs 2 crore, anticipating that top players will command much higher sums.
Speculation is rife about which players will be handsomely rewarded in this mini-event. The auction pool boasts big names and promising young talents, setting the stage for bidding wars and significant team reshuffles. Teams have released some key players, adding to the intrigue surrounding the auction.
Notable players in the spotlight include South Africa’s 17-year-old prodigy Kwena Maphaka, set to become the youngest participant in the auction. On the other end of the spectrum is the experienced 38-year-old batting all-rounder Mohammad Nabi from Afghanistan, who will be the oldest cricketer up for grabs.
The IPL 2024 auction will witness a change in the role of the auctioneer, with Mallika Sagar taking the stage instead of Hugh Edmeades. Sagar recently hosted the Women’s Premier League (WPL) auction, making history as the first woman auctioneer in the last 16 years of IPL.
As the cricketing world eagerly awaits the outcome of the IPL 2024 auction, it promises to be a thrilling event filled with surprises, strategic moves, and significant financial transactions.
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