IPL Auction 2024: Seven players who can earn big bucks in upcoming mini-auction

IPL Auction 2024: After all the drama surrounding the transfer of Hardik Pandya to Mumbai Indians (MI) from Gujarat Titans (GT) after the end of the retention day and also being named as the new captain of the Mumbai Indians, all the teams look settled as they prepare for the mini-auction for the IPL 2024 on Tuesday, December 19. The auction will take place in the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, and it is the first time in the history of the IPL that the auction will take place outside the country. The auction will start at 11:30 AM Local Time or 1:00 PM IST.

The teams will look to build their squads from scratch, with a lot of in-form players released by their respective franchises. The likes of spinner Wanindu Hasaranga and pacer Josh Hazlewood released by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) releasing almost all of their experienced pacers — Tim Southee, Umesh Yadav, Shardul Thakur, and Lockie Ferguson — was a starling move by the respective franchises. Punjab Kings (PBKS) releasing heavy-hitter Bhanuka Rajapaksa was also a move that wasn't anticipated. Furthermore, Delhi Capitals (DC) has also released some big names like Phil Salt, Rilee Rossouw, and Rovman Powell from their squad.

The franchises have made these releases on the basis of their salary caps and also with the purpose of building a squad for the last season of the IPL before the mega auction next year, when the three-year contracts of all the players expire. 

Apart from the players who were released, there will be other players who have announced their names to be a part of the mini-auction. 

Here is a list of seven players who are expected to make big bucks in the IPL 2024 Auction—

Travis Head, Australia

The Australian has recently announced his interest in being a part of IPL 2024, and he can set the auction table on fire. Head had played in 10 matches in the IPL back in 2016 and 2017 for RCB, but he has been absent from the tournament since then.  However, with his stellar form at the moment and his hitting prowess, he can add much more value to any team, either as an opener or as a finisher.

Rachin Ravindra, New Zealand

One of the biggest finds in the ODI World Cup 2023, the 24-year-old Kiwi is expected to start a battle on the auction table among the franchises for his signature. He had enjoyed a brilliant run in his debut ODI World Cup, scoring 578 runs — the most for any New Zealand player in the World Cup with three centuries under his belt. He can also turn the ball and can be a good part-time bowling option for any team. 

Josh Hazlewood, Australia

It was shocking when RCB released the Australian pacer, even after such a great performance in the ODI World Cup 2023. Hazlewood has played 27 matches with 35 wickets under his belt in his IPL career, with an economy rate of 8.06. He can be a great addition to any team that needs a fast bowler who can cause trouble not just with the new ball but also at the death. 

Wanindu Hasaranga, Sri Lanka

Another shocker from RCB was when they released their Sri Lankan spinner, Hasaranga, from the squad. Hasaranga has picked up nine wickets in eight matches for RCB in the IPL 2023. He also played an integral role for the national side in their qualification for the ODI World Cup 2023. However, due to injuries, he has faced a lot of setbacks. But with the skillset he possesses, he can be a great addition to a team that needs to improve their spin attack. 

Mitchell Starc, Australia

The veteran Australian pacer is expected to make his return to the IPL after eight years of hiatus. Starc can be a menace with the new ball for any opposition and also slow down the scoring rate in the death. He has adapted well to the subcontinental conditions of the recent ODI World Cup, and any team would fancy an experienced left-arm pacer in the squad. Starc has 34 wickets under his belt in 26 innings in his IPL career. 

Gerald Coetzee, South Africa

A new kid on the block, the Proteas pacer had already made his name in the recently-concluded ODI World Cup 2023, picking up 20 wickets in eight matches. He also proved to be a great T20 bowler, as he picked up 17 wickets in nine matches in the SA20 League 2023, playing for the Joburg Super Kings. 

Shahrukh Khan, India

The lack of a good middle-order Indian batter is not an unknown snag in the recent Indian cricket scene. And someone like Shahrukh Khan, who can not only hit the ball hard but also swing his arm with the ball, can be a great inclusion for any side. He had a strike rate of 165.95 in the IPL 2023 and is the purple cap holder for the TNPL 2023, with 17 wickets in nine matches. 

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