The IPL 2024 auction will be held on December 19 in Dubai. There is a buzz about this mini-auction as many big names, both India and overseas have registered to go under the hammer.
A total of 1166 players have registered for the auction which will be the last mini-auction before next year’s mega auction. There are 77 slots up for grabs and 30 of them would be overseas players. The 10 teams can collectively spend Rs 262.95 crore.
While the focus might be on capped players from both India and overseas, two of the biggest franchises- Mumbai Indians (MI) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)- will look at the uncapped Indian players’ list. This might be to fulfill their quota of players and get some good players for decent money.
Here are 3 uncapped players for whom both RCB and MI might get into a bidding war in IPL Auction:
3. Hrithik Shokeen
Hrithik Shokeen had a good two seasons with the Mumbai Indians. He played 13 matches and picked 5 wickets at an economy of just over 9. In his young career, Shokeen has 12 wickets in 18 matches for Delhi. Apart from Piyush Chawla, Shokeen had the potential to be MI’s spin core along with Kumar Karthikeya. However, MI decided to release him to free up funds to get Hardik Pandya from Gujarat Titans.
RCB needs a good Indian spinner as well and might go after Hrithik Shokeen, as they need a decent spinner after releasing Wanindu Hasaranga. After Yuzvendra Chahal, RCB have not invested in any good spinner and at 23 years of age, Shokeen is the best bet for them.
2. Kartik Tyagi
Kartik Tyagi is considered to be one of the fastest, young bowlers in India today. After leaving some serious injury concerns, Tyagi has been setting the domestic cricket on fire. He has played 19 matches in IPL, for Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad and picked 15 wickets with a best of 2/29. He is capable of bowling over 150 kph, something he showcased in the recent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
Both Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore need very good Indian bowlers. MI will have the services of Jasprit Bumrah, but they have released most of their pacers ahead of the auction. On the other hand, RCB’s bowling attack will be led by Mohammed Siraj. Hence, expect a heated war between these two franchises in the IPL 2024 auction when Kartik Tyagi’s name comes up for bidding.
1. Sarfaraz Khan
Sarfaraz Khan has been the hottest batter in Indian domestic cricket. He has been churning out a record number of runs in FC cricket in India in the past 2-3 years. Overall he has 3589 runs in 40 FC matches with 13 centuries at an average of 71.78. in T20s, Khan has 1188 runs in 96 matches with a strike rate of 128.29.
However, Sarfaraz has failed to convert this success in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Barring one good season for RCB in 2019, Khan’s record in the IPL is underwhelming, to say the least. He has 585 runs in 50 matches with one fifty and a strike rate of 130.58. However, he has shown potential for maturing and getting better, and RCB and MI both will have nothing to lose in case they bid for him.