All You Need to Know About the IPL 2024 Auction

People may still be recovering from India’s heartbreaking loss in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 finals, but the IPL auction is here to offer some relief. If the IPL is a spectacle, the auction often takes center stage, sometimes overshadowing the game itself. Breaking with tradition, the IPL auction heads to Dubai for the first time in history.

When and Where?

In a unique twist, this year’s auction is a mini one, allowing teams to retain as many players as they desire, with no obligation to trade. Despite high-profile releases and trades, teams will assemble at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, UAE, on December 19 (Tuesday).

The auction kicks off at 1 PM Indian Time, featuring 333 players vying for selection. Mallika Sagar, the first female gavel master, will conduct the auction, succeeding Hugh Edmeades.

Player Breakdown

Out of the 333 players, 214 are Indian, and the remaining 119 are overseas players. Of these, 116 are capped players from around the world, while 215 are uncapped. With 77 slots yet to be filled, teams will be targeting key players to bolster their squads, keeping in mind the need for at least 30 overseas players.

Player Retentions

Among the headline-making decisions, Chennai Super Kings release Ben Stokes, while Mumbai Indians part ways with Jofra Archer and Cameron Green, who heads to RCB for INR 17.5 crore. Kolkata Knight Riders bid farewell to Lockie Ferguson and Shardul Thakur, while Sunrisers Hyderabad opts not to retain Harry Brook, who commanded INR 13.25 crore in the previous IPL Auction.

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Remaining Purses

Each team has a total budget of 100 Cr, with an additional 5 Cr purse this season. Gujarat Titans, with a hefty 38.15 Cr purse, lead the pack, thanks to their cash deal trading skipper Hardik Pandya to Mumbai Indians. On the other end, Lucknow Super Giants hold the smallest budget at 13.15 Cr.

Teams like Sunrisers Hyderabad (34 Cr), Kolkata Knight Riders (32.7 Cr), and Chennai Super Kings (31.4 Cr) boast purses exceeding 30 Cr, while Mumbai Indians (17.75 Cr), Rajasthan Royals (14.5 Cr), and Lucknow Super Giants (13.15 Cr) face the challenge of fulfilling obligations with less than 20 Cr.

Players in the Spotlight

Mitchell Starc, Wanindu Hasaranga, Shahrukh Khan, Harry Brook, Harshal Patel, Shardul Thakur, and Gerald Coetzee are expected to attract substantial bids due to a supply-demand mismatch. Among domestic players, Urvil Patel, Harvik Desai, Ravi Teja, Arslan Khan, and Manisankar Murasingh are likely to secure lucrative deals.