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The IPL auction is upon us again for the 2023 season, with as many as 405 players going under the hammer this Friday to determine the make up of the ten IPL squads in next year’s Indian Premier League. Here’s a final look at some of the key areas to watch out for ahead of the auction kicking off at 11:30 AM GMT in Kochi on Friday:
Will Sam Curran Break the IPL Record for the Highest Bid?
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Ahead of this year’s IPL auction, there’s plenty of excitement that Sam Curran could potentially fetch the highest ever price tag in IPL auction history, among other players expected to attract big money. Curran is no newbie in the IPL, having burst onto the scene as a youngster a number of years ago with England and CSK. However, after having recently recovered from a stress fracture, the 24-year-old has returned as a new man, so much so that he won Player of the Tournament at the recent T20 World Cup 2022.
There’s a good chance that Curran will be able to break the IPL auction bidding record set by Chris Morris last year of INR 16.25 crore. Curran has forged a reputation as a ruthless death bowler, which also being able to put in excellent spells in the middle of an innings, and bat anywhere in the XI to devastating effect.
Sunrisers Hyderabad Have Money to Burn
Of the ten franchises that will be bidding in Friday’s IPL auction, the Sunrisers Hyderabad have by far the largest purse. The Hyderabadi side will have a whole INR 10 crore more than the second-wealthiest side, with INR 42.45 crore available to be spent this auction. This is because the Sunrisers released ten players from their squad ahead of this season, and as a result they will also be looking to acquire the largest number of players, with 13 players needed and four overseas slots available.
Chances are the Sunrisers will have their eyes on some of the big English names, such as Ben Stokes, Harry Brook and Sam Curran. They’ll be in the market for a whole lot, including a top-order batsman, a captain, a fast-bowling all-rounder, wicketkeeper and wicket-taking spinner.
Which Indian Players Will Announce Themselves on the World Stage?
Plenty of quality Indian talent has been retained ahead of this IPL auction, however each year invariably brings a few new names out of the domestic circuit and onto the global stage. Who will it be this year?
It could be Tamil Nadu batsman-wicketkeeper N Jagadeesan, who announced himself by scoring five centuries in a row in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2022. Sanvir Singh from Punjab is also a player on the selector’s radar, with his excellent play of spin, medium-pace and ability to send a long ball over the ropes. Plenty of young fast bowlers are also prospects to watch, with Mujtaba Yousuf, Yash Thakur and Sharukh Dar names that could come up.
Kolkata Knightriders Walking a Fine Balance
The Kolkata Knightriders find themselves in a precarious position heading into this IPL auction, as they have the smallest budget out of all franchises, yet need to acquire the second-greatest number of players. With only INR 7.05 crore to spend and 11 players to be bought, chances are they will be forced to make some compromises.
Most likely, the Knightriders will be forced to gamble on a couple of fresh Indian options from the domestic circuit, or wager on some new overseas IPL talent. Phil Salt from England is an option, as is David Wiese. From the Indian pool, they will be looking to acquire an opening batter as well as a death bowler and some back up options. This could look like Mayank Agarwal if they can afford him, or the likes of N Jagadeesan and Yash Thakur.
Can Ghazanfar Land a Contract at Age 15?
While all eyes are on the prospect of the IPL auction’s highest bid record being broken, there’s another record that could fall this Friday. Afghanistan’s Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar is one of the players available to be bid on, at the tender age of only 15 years old. Ghazanfar has played only three T20s to date, yet has impressed so much that he’s made it to the IPL auction. He also featured in the BBL auction this year without any luck, and will be hoping for a better result at the IPL auction this Friday.
Ghazanfar will take solace from the fact that his fellow countryman Rashid Khan has forged a path for him already. The 15-year-old mystery spinner will look to follow in Khan’s footsteps, who also featured prominently in the IPL as a teen.
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