In a historic move, the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction is set to unfold in Dubai on December 19, marking the first time the event ventures beyond the borders of India. Mallika Sagar will take on the role of the auctioneer for this 17th edition, adding an international flavor to the highly anticipated proceedings. This follows the previous auction held in December 2022.
A total of 333 players are in contention, vying for 77 slots across the 10 franchises participating in the IPL. Within this pool, 30 slots are reserved for overseas players, showcasing the league’s commitment to global talent.
The roster comprises 214 Indian players and 119 overseas players, including representatives from Associate nations. Notably, the shortlist includes 116 capped players and 215 uncapped players, presenting a diverse array of cricketing talent.
Standing out among the aspirants is 17-year-old Kwena Maphaka from South Africa, emerging as the youngest cricketer in contention. In contrast, Afghanistan’s seasoned 38-year-old all-rounder Mohammad Nabi brings experience as the oldest player in the auction shortlist, adding a blend of youth and wisdom to the player pool.
The excitement escalates with the participation of three Australian ODI World Cup-winning players—Travis Head, Mitchell Starc, and Pat Cummins. Their inclusion is expected to ignite fierce bidding wars among the franchises eager to secure their services.
Additionally, promising young talents Rachin Ravindra from New Zealand and Azmatullah Omarzai from Afghanistan, who showcased their skills in the recent marquee event in India, are anticipated to be hot properties in the auction.
Indian cricket enthusiasts can catch the live broadcast of the IPL 2024 auction on the Star Sports network, adding to the excitement and fanfare surrounding the event. For those preferring digital platforms, the JioCinema app will provide live streaming options, ensuring that fans can follow the auction’s twists and turns in real-time.
Beyond Indian borders, cricket enthusiasts can tune in to various channels to catch the action. In Australia, Fox Sports will be the go-to destination, while SuperSport will broadcast the event in South Africa. In the United Kingdom, Sky Sports Mix will bring the auction live to viewers, and in Canada, cricket enthusiasts can follow the proceedings on WillOw TV. Timing of auction broadcasting will begin from 1 PM IST.