The stage is set for the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction, with 574 players shortlisted from an initial pool of 1,574. The event is scheduled to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on November 24 and 25. Among the selected players, 366 are Indians, while 208 are overseas cricketers.
Pant, Iyer, Rahul Headline ₹2 Crore Top Bracket
Star Indian players like Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Arshdeep Singh lead the list, all with a base price of ₹2 crore. Pant is expected to attract the highest bids, with franchises like Punjab Kings, armed with a massive ₹110.50 crore purse, eager to secure top talents. Other Indian names in the premium category include Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Avesh Khan.
Overseas Stars in the Spotlight
England’s Jos Buttler, Harry Brook, and Jonny Bairstow are among the overseas players in the ₹2 crore bracket. South African pace duo Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje, along with Australian stars Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, and Mitchell Starc, are also set to draw attention. Players like Marco Jansen and Rachin Ravindra, priced at ₹1.25 crore, further enhance the auction’s appeal.
Youngest and Notable Inclusions
The youngest player in the pool is 13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, a Bihar-based India U-19 cricketer with a base price of ₹30 lakh. Meanwhile, former India U-19 World Cup-winning captain Unmukt Chand, now playing as an Associate Nation player from the USA, has made the cut.
Breakdown of the Player Pool
The player pool includes 48 capped Indians and 193 capped overseas players. There are 81 players in the top ₹2 crore category, followed by 27 in the ₹1.5 crore range, 18 at ₹1.25 crore, and 23 with a ₹1 crore base price.
Big Names Missing
While the list boasts several top players, some notable exclusions have raised eyebrows. Saurabh Nethravalkar, a standout performer for the USA during the T20 World Cup, didn’t make the cut. Italy’s Thomas Draca, known for his performances with MI Emirates, was also omitted.
As the IPL auction approaches, franchises are gearing up to make strategic purchases, with plenty of talent and surprises awaiting in Jeddah.
