The 16th edition of the Indian Premier League is still three months away, but the hustle between teams is already on. For the first time in its history, the IPL auction will take place in front of a live crowd at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, and just like every year, we can expect some shocking bids and buys being made at the auction tables. As many as 333 players, including 214 Indians and 119 overseas men, will go under the hammer as the 10 teams look to fill the remaining 77 slots for the upcoming season. Let’s have a look at some of the prominent names that should certainly start a bidding war among teams on the 19th of December.
Top Overseas Players
Travis Head
Travis Head had one of the most memorable days of his cricketing career during Australia’s run to glory at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India last month. The southpaw held his nerves to win the Player of the Match awards in both the semi-final and the final of the quadrennial event. Even though he managed to score just 205 runs in 10 innings during his two years in the IPL, his recent exploits on Indian soil will make him a hot property during the auction.
Teams like Gujarat Titans, Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals wouldn’t mind having an explosive opener who can bowl decent off-spin in their arsenal.
Mitchell Starc
Mitchell Starc has been away from the IPL for a long time. The left-arm pacer last featured in the tournament in 2015 for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. The team might again bid for him as soon as his name pops up during the auction as he notched up 34 wickets in just 26 innings with an economy of less than 7.2 across a couple of editions for them.
Though his withdrawal from the league in 2018 after being sold to Kolkata Knight Riders was deemed unprofessional, teams with desperate need for an overseas pacer will not hesitate before bidding for him. As aforementioned, RCB will look to go for Starc, but along with them, Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings can also partake in the bidding war.
Pat Cummins
Australia’s fifth World Cup-winning skipper Pat Cummins will be back on the auction table after missing out on the action in 2023. Cummins has regularly featured in the IPL but has not been able to take the league by storm with his performances. The right-arm pacer has managed to pick 45 wickets and score 379 runs in 42 games so far. But his dependable batting skills coupled with his ability to bowl consistent length deliveries have often led him to huge IPL contracts. Currently with the tag of a World Cup-winning captain, Cummins is again expected to go big at the auction.
Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore are some of the teams where Cummins can find a home in 2024.
Wanindu Hasaranga
Wanindu Hasaranga’s release was shocking for the RCB fans because the franchise bought the leg-spinner as a replacement for their most successful bowler Yuzvendra Chahal in 2022. In 26 IPL matches, he managed to grab 35 wickets at an economy of 8.13 including a five-wicket haul and was expected to be retained by RCB. Nevertheless, Hasaranga will be on Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad’s wish list as the two teams need a genuine leg-spinner in their starting XIs. It won’t be surprising to see RCB bid for Hasaranga as they might look to get him back at a cheaper price for the 2024 season.
Rachin Ravindra
New Zealand’s emerging star Rachin Ravindra impressed cricket fans across the globe with his batting in the World Cup. The southpaw struck 578 runs in 10 innings at an average of 64.22 and a strike rate of over 100 with the help of three centuries to grab a lot of eyeballs. Also, he is a fine left-arm spinner who can be banked upon for four overs. Subsequently, he will attract a few teams to bid for him. Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad might be some teams that look to go for Rachin.
Daryl Mitchell
Just like his Kiwi teammate, Daryl Mitchell too had a phenomenal World Cup with the bat. He piled up 552 runs at an average of 69 including an almost game-changing hundred against India in the semi-final. Mitchell batted a couple of times for Rajasthan Royals in 2022 but could not yield successful results, but the right-hander is now well-experienced in Indian conditions and will be raring to go in IPL 2024. Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders may be interested in acquiring Mitchell for the next season.
Gerald Coetzee
Gerald Coetzee had a breakthrough in World Cup 2023. The right-arm gun pacer emerged as South Africa’s leading wicket-taker with 20 wickets in just eight games. He can constantly click 145 kilometers per hour and that ability makes him a rare commodity in the auction. Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Titans, Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad are just a few teams that might be itched to bid for Coetzee, who can also swing the ball in both directions. Not to forget, he bowled a hard-fought spell of 2/47 on a sluggish Eden Gardens pitch in the second semi-final of the World Cup proving his versatility as well.
Top Indian Players
Harshal Patel
Harshal Patel rose through the ranks with a 32-wicket season for RCB in 2021 that also earned him his maiden India call-up. But things fell flat for the right-arm pacer in the seasons to follow as the Royal Challengers returned to play on hard and flat decks. Harshal, who is not a part of the Indian team now, might find a new home in Chennai. The sluggish tracks of Chennai will be ideal for Harshal. Along with Chennai, Kolkata Knight Riders might be interested in adding him to their team as they look to fill their fast-bowling arsenal.
Shardul Thakur
Shardul Thakur is the only member of India’s squad from the World Cup who is without an IPL contract at the moment. Just like Harshal, Shardul shines on slow pitches and he can have a homecoming in Chennai for the next season. Lucknow Super Giants will be another franchise that might be interested in Shardul as they aim to solidify their pace battery for the slow Ekana pitches. Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders can also go for Shardul at the auction.
Shah Rukh Khan
Shah Rukh Khan will be on almost every team’s wish list as he can bat in the lower order and ace the finishing job for his team. He has been phenomenal with the bat for his domestic side Tamil Nadu and can move to the same state for IPL as well as Chennai Super Kings is looking for a replacement for Ambati Rayudu. Also, Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals need somebody to bat at number five and six for them. So it is certain that Shah Rukh Khan will be a hot property in the auction and has the potential to emerge as the most expensive uncapped player of the year.
Kartik Tyagi
Kartik Tyagi started his IPL career with Rajasthan Royals before moving to Sunrisers Hyderabad. Unfortunately, he could not get a lot of opportunities in both sides and is back in the auction for IPL 2024. Not only can Tyagi bowl 140 clicks, but can also aim the yorkers well towards the business end of an innings. Lucknow Super Giants, Delhi Capitals, and Mumbai Indians might well be interested to have Tyagi in their teams.
