The Indian Premier League (IPL) is gearing up for an exciting event, with its auction scheduled for December 19 in Dubai. This marks a historic milestone as it’s the first time the IPL auction will be conducted overseas. The backdrop of this auction coincides with India’s tour of South Africa, where the second ODI will be held in Gqeberha on the same day.
Before the auction, the ten IPL clubs have an important deadline of November 15, by which they must submit their lists of retained and released players. The composition of the auction pool will then be finalized in early December. This process is crucial as it shapes the rosters for the 2024 season.
Each IPL team will have a generous purse of INR 100 crore (approximately USD 12.02 million) at their disposal to build their squads for the upcoming season. This marks a notable increase of INR 5 crore from the previous season’s purse of INR 95 crore. The funds that each team must allocate on the auction day depend on various factors, including the value of players they release and the unspent balances from the 2023 auction.
CSK won the title in 2023
As for the purse size, the Punjab Kings currently hold the highest with INR 12.20 crore (USD 1.47 million), while the Mumbai Indians have the smallest purse at INR 0.05 crore (USD 0.006 million). Other teams fall in between, with Sunrisers Hyderabad at INR 6.55 crore (USD 0.79 million), Gujarat Titans and Delhi Capitals at INR 4.45 crore (USD 0.54 million), Lucknow Super Giants at INR 3.55 crore (USD 0.43 million), Rajasthan Royals at INR 3.35 crore (USD 0.40 million), Kolkata Knight Riders at INR 1.65 crore (USD 0.2 million), and the defending champions, Chennai Super Kings, at INR 1.5 crore (USD 0.2 million).
While this auction is a one-day event, different from the extensive two-day mega auctions held every four years, it’s known for producing some remarkable deals, especially in the overseas player category. The record-breaking purchase of Sam Curran for INR 18.5 crore by Punjab Kings last year, ahead of the 2023 season, is a testament to this trend.
This year’s auction is expected to witness the participation of several renowned overseas players, including the Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc, who is set to return to the IPL after an eight-year hiatus. The likes of Pat Cummins, Travis Head, Chris Woakes, Alex Hales, Sam Billings, and Gerald Coetzee are among the other notable players whom franchises are eagerly anticipating at the auction. It promises to be an event filled with excitement and potential game-changing acquisitions.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.
