In a highly anticipated IPL auction 2024, seven members of Australia’s ODI World Cup squad, including Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood, are set to enter the bidding with a base price of INR 2 crore (USD 240,000 approximately). The auction, scheduled for December 19 in Dubai, marks the first time it will be held outside India.
New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra, a standout batting all-rounder from the World Cup, has listed his base price at INR 50 lakhs (USD 60,000 approximately). Other notable players in the highest base price category include Gerald Coetzee, South Africa’s leading wicket-taker in the World Cup, and England’s Harry Brook, released by Sunrisers Hyderabad.
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With ten franchises aiming to fill a total of 77 slots, anticipation is building around potential bidding wars for skillful players. Starc, Head, and Ravindra, based on their recent ODI World Cup performances, are expected to attract intense bidding. Starc, absent from the IPL for eight years, is eager to use the tournament as preparation for the 2024 T20 World Cup in June.
Travis Head, named Player of the Match in the semis and finals of the 2023 ODI World Cup, is making an IPL return after last playing in 2017. The IPL shared a preliminary list of 1166 players who registered for the auction, including 45 from Associate nations, 909 uncapped players (812 Indian), and 18 capped Indian players.
Players like Harshal Patel, Wanindu Hasaranga, Harry Brook, Shardul Thakur, and Shahrukh Khan are expected to generate significant interest. Harshal and Hasaranga were released by Royal Challengers, and Brook, despite being the most expensive overseas buy at a mini auction, struggled to make an impact. Shahrukh, released by his franchise, hopes to secure interest with a base price of 40 lakhs.
The auction categories include a base price of INR 2 crore for players like Steve Smith, Mustafizur Rahman, and Mitchell Starc, followed by lower base prices for a range of international and domestic talents. The final pool will be refined after teams submit their preferences to the IPL.
