*New Delhi, December 13:* The much-anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 player auction is set to take place on December 19 in Dubai, marking the first time the auction will be held outside India. With 333 cricketers vying for 70 vacant roster spots across 10 franchises, the event promises high-stakes drama and excitement.
The decision to conduct the auction overseas is attributed to the ongoing wedding season in India, causing potential challenges in securing hotel availability. This move follows a trend initiated last year when the IPL had to be held in the UAE due to pandemic restrictions.
The IPL auction utilizes a specialized accelerated process to select players, employing rounds organized by valued brackets. Teams take turns making bids, allowing them to strategically acquire players based on their budgets and squad needs. With 333 cricketers from 14 countries in the auction pool, including 214 Indian players and 119 international players, the event is poised to be highly competitive.
Notably, 23 elite players carry a 2 crore reserve price tag, sparking anticipation for potential bidding wars. The franchise budgets vary, with Gujarat Titans leading at Rs 38.15 crore, followed closely by Sunrisers Hyderabad (Rs 37.85 crore) and Punjab Kings (Rs 32.2 crore). Each team must spend at least 75% of their purse during the auction.
Kolkata Knight Riders have the most vacancies to fill at 12 players, while Chennai Super Kings have the smallest budget at Rs 20.45 crore, with only four player slots to fill. Notable pre-auction trades have already occurred, adding intrigue to the event. Romario Shepherd was traded to Mumbai Indians, while Lucknow Super Giants acquired Devdutt Padikkal from Rajasthan Royals.
Top players commanding the 2 crore reserve valuation include Ben Stokes, Sam Curran, Mitchell Starc, Cameron Green, Shreyas Iyer, and Harshal Patel, setting the stage for intense bidding wars. As the IPL 2024 auction unfolds in Dubai, cricket enthusiasts eagerly await to see how teams will strategically shape their squads for the upcoming season.
