As many as 333 players have registered themselves for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 players’ auction, scheduled to take place in Dubai on December 19. However, a maximum of 77 slots are available with up to 30 being slotted for overseas players. By the looks of it, the intensity of bidding will be high at certain times as the franchises need to pick wisely which also means that more than 25 players will be left empty-handed.
Before the mega event gets underway in Dubai on Tuesday, let’s have a look at the list of players who might go unsold.
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Steve Smith
The former Australian captain may be a hot property in international cricket but he hasn’t been a successful figure in the IPL. It’s a fact that he had led a side in 2017 but he hasn’t impressed in the recent past. His last stint was with Delhi Capitals (DC) in 2021 in which he scored 152 runs in 8 games.
Hanuma Vihari
Domestic veteran Hanuma Vihari had a decent run in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2023, scoring 229 runs in 7 games at a strike rate of 149. But given his IPL track record, he could fail in attracting a buyer. He last played in 2019, for Delhi Capitals, where he scored 4 runs in 2 matches.
Mustafizur Rahman
Recently released by the Rajasthan Royals, Rahman might go unsold in the IPL auctions. He mostly warmed the bench last season picked just 1 wicket in 2 games and leaked runs at an economy rate of 11.29. With a base price of Rs 2 crore, the franchise might let him go.
Tom Curran
The English all-rounder has registered himself at Rs 1.5 crore and there are chances that he might not attract a buyer in the auctions. He has been away from the international but continues to ply his trade in T20 leagues. Currently, he is playing for the Sydney Sixers in the BBL 2023-24 and has picked 3 wickets in 2 games. In the IPL, he last turned up for Delhi Capitals where he played 3 games and picked up 4 wickets at an economy rate of 10.84.
Taskin Ahmed
After declining an LSG contract in IPL 2023, the Bangladesh pacer is back in the auction pool with a base price of Rs 75 lakh. But being an overseas player, he faces tough competition from the Australian and English players listed at a lower price. It would be interesting to see if he has luck in his side when he goes on the auction table.
Sarfaraz Khan
The Mumbai batter who manages to grab headlines for his game in the domestic circuit is likely to go unsold in the IPL 2024 players’ auction. He struggled big time last season while representing Delhi Capitals, getting 53 runs in 4 games, and didn’t perform well in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2023 either. He scored 65 runs in 5 innings, averaging 21.33. Once considered a prodigy in the IPL might go unsold this year.
Varun Aaron
The Jharkhand bowler is next on the list and has listed himself for Rs 50 lakh. Aaron didn’t feature in this year’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and has been away from the shortest format of the game for more than a year now. Recently released from Gujarat Titans, Aaron may fail to attract any buyer.
Kusal Mendis
Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis comes in as an overseas wicketkeeper-batter with a base price of Rs 50 lakh. His numbers in T20Is are pretty impressive, 1270 in 55 games at an average of 24 and a strike rate of 133. But there are several in-form keeper-batters in the fray who might make it difficult for Mendis to bag a deal. The likes of Josh Inglis, Phillip Salt and Sam Billings are proven match-winners who might raise the bar and Mendis might struggle to get a contract their.
Jamie Overton
The English all-rounder may get overlooked in the players’ auctions on Tuesday in Dubai. Overton hasn’t been in the best of form lately. He had an underwhelming season at The Hundred 2023, picking up only 3 wickets in 7 innings. Listed at a base price of Rs 2 crore, he is likely to find a contract this season.
Mark Chapman
The former Hong Kong cricketer is an interesting aspect in T20Is. But he too might struggle to get a deal in the IPL auction. Chapman happens to be a middle-order batter but given his base price of Rs 50 lakh, the franchises are either all bases covered or might go for cheaper options in the accelerated round of the auction.
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