The 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction is scheduled to take place in Dubai on December 19, marking the first instance of the auction being conducted away from home. A comprehensive pool of 333 players is set to undergo bidding, with 214 hailing from India and 119 from overseas, including 2 players from associate nations. Among them, 116 players have international caps, while 215 are uncapped, along with the participation of two cricketers from associate nations. The auction will fill a maximum of 77 slots, including 30 for overseas players. In the lead-up to the auction, we make predictions for the top 10 purchases.
1. Travis Head (Rs 10-15 crore)
Teams might be willing to splurge on Australia’s World Cup standout, Travis Head. The southpaw has been in remarkable form across various formats and possesses the ability to dismantle opponents on any given day. Although he sat out the early matches of the 2023 World Cup due to injury, he made a significant impact when it counted most. Head delivered a stellar all-round performance in the semifinals and played a crucial role in the final by smashing a brilliant century against India. His exceptional batting skills, complemented by his adept bowling and outstanding fielding, render him the ideal all-around package for the IPL.
2. Wanindu Hasaranga (Rs 8-10 crore)
In an unexpected move, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) released Sri Lanka’s bowling all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga in the retention list announcement. Despite being sidelined due to injury since the Lanka Premier League (LPL), the 26-year-old is anticipated to attract significant interest in the upcoming auction. Hasaranga, a leg-spinner, possesses the skill to bowl effectively at any phase of an innings, showcasing the potential for a substantial influence. With ample experience in his repertoire, his prowess as a powerful hitter with the bat is frequently underestimated.
3. Mitchell Starc (Rs 8-9 crore)
Mitchell Starc, the experienced left-arm pacer from Australia, has been absent from the Indian T20 league since 2015. Nonetheless, he has thrown his name into the auction this time, and a fierce bidding competition is anticipated for his services. Starc has consistently delivered exceptional performances for Australia across various formats, making him a coveted player for any franchise seeking his skill set and big-match temperament. Beyond his lethal yorkers and unsettling short balls, Starc brings a unique X-factor that few players in international cricket can match.
4. Azmatullah Omarzai (Rs 7-8 crore)
It could be unexpected for many, but Afghanistan’s emerging all-rounder, Azmatullah Omarzai, has the potential to emerge as one of the most sought-after purchases in the IPL 2024 auction. Omarzai showcased his talent in the 2023 ODI World Cup, amassing an impressive 353 runs in eight innings at an average of 70.60 and a strike rate of 97.78, including three half-centuries. The 23-year-old also contributed valuable wickets with his medium pace. Given his promising all-round skills, anticipation is high for substantial demand for him on auction day.
5. Pat Cummins (Rs 6-7 crore)
Having secured substantial salaries from IPL franchises in previous seasons, Australian captain Pat Cummins is no stranger to big paydays. Following his instrumental role in guiding Australia to victories in the World Cup, WTC, and the Ashes, Cummins is expected to be among the top acquisitions once again. Currently, he is in peak form with the ball, and his batting prowess has been witnessed in previous IPL seasons. With the 30-year-old at the peak of his confidence, franchises will be eager to secure a highly versatile player like him in IPL 2024.
6. Harry Brook (Rs 5-6 crore)
England’s promising young batsman, Harry Brook, experienced a lackluster IPL 2023 season with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) despite his hefty Rs 13.25 crore price tag. While he did manage to score a century in one of the matches, his overall performance left much to be desired. Nevertheless, Brook is anticipated to attract renewed interest due to his immense batting talent, which is too significant to overlook. Having likely learned valuable lessons from the challenges of his debut IPL season, he approaches the upcoming edition with increased confidence, aiming for an improved showing.
7. Rachin Ravindra (Rs 5.5-6 crore)
New Zealand’s all-around batting talent, Rachin Ravindra, stands to gain from his impressive World Cup performances. The left-handed batter showcased his sensational form in the ICC event in India, amassing 578 runs in 10 innings at an impressive average of 64.22 and a striking strike rate of 106.45, including three centuries. His comfort in Indian conditions was evident. Additionally, Ravindra’s ability to contribute with handy left-arm spin makes him an even more enticing prospect, adding to the reasons why he might be in high demand.
8. Josh Inglis (Rs 4.5-5 crore)
Australian power-hitting wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Inglis may emerge as an unexpected high-value acquisition at the IPL 2024 auction. His impressive century in the recent T20I series in India showcased his ability to strike the ball a long distance, making him an enticing prospect. Franchises might be inclined to invest a bit more in him due to his explosive batting capabilities. Furthermore, Inglis offers wicketkeeping skills, being adept and tidy behind the stumps, adding to his appeal for potential buyers.
9. Daryl Mitchell (Rs 3-4 crore)
New Zealand batsman Daryl Mitchell, who has not seen high demand in the IPL in previous years, might experience a shift in fortunes this time. Displaying exceptional form across various formats in the past 12 months, Mitchell emerged as the fifth-leading run-scorer in the 2023 World Cup. Accumulating 552 runs in nine innings at an impressive average of 60 and a striking strike rate of 111.07, including two centuries, Mitchell’s hard-hitting prowess could make him a sought-after player for franchises in the upcoming auction.
10. Shardul Thakur (Rs 2.5-3 crore)
Indian all-rounder Shardul Thakur has faced a downturn in performance over the past few IPL seasons, leading to a decline in his market value. The World Cup also did not see him making a substantial impact. Despite the reduced significance of all-rounders with the introduction of the Impact Player rule in the IPL, Thakur’s knack for delivering crucial blows with the ball might still prompt teams to consider investing a few crores in him. After all, there is only one Lord.