New Delhi, Jan 28: The BCCI on Wednesday announced that the mini-auction for the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League will be held in February 18 in Chennai. The auction will take place a day after the second Test between India and England at the same city.
Ahead of the auction, all the eight franchises submitted the list of the retained players to the cricket board. Top international cricketers like Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, and Jason Roy were released by their respective franchises last week at the end of IPL Player Retention Day.
Meanwhile, in a bid to strenghten their middle-order, Chennai Super Kings showed faith on former India batsman Suresh Raina as the Uttar Pradesh cricketer was retained by the franchise. However, veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, along with Kedar Jadhav, Murali Vijay, Piysuh Chawla, and Shane Watson were let go by CSK.
Apart from Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kings XI Punjab, the remaining franchises have retained their core unit and will now try and fill up the gaps keeping the future in mind.
As per a report in ANI, Indian cricketers who don’t have a contract and wish to be a part of the auction will need to fill the player auction agreement and submit it online by February 4, 5 pm. The originals for the same can be sent by February 12.
The schedule and the venue for the upcoming edition of IPL is yet to be announced. The IPL for the first time was held behind closed doors in UAE last year, which saw Mumbai Indians secure the title for a record fifth time.
Let’s have a look at the list of players who can grab a good deal in the upcoming mini-auction:
1. Mohammed Azharuddeen: The youngster from Kerala caught everyone’s attention with his ravishing hundred in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2021. His unbeaten 54-ball-137 against Mumbai was also the first hundred ever by a Kerala batsman in T20 cricket. His fearless batting and impressive stroke play may lead him to a good franchise in the upcoming IPL season.
2. Sandeep Lamichhane: The Nepali leg-spinner made quite a stir with his performance for the Delhi franchise in the 2018 season. However, the side opted to part ways with him ahead of the 14th edition. Sandeep has been a prolific T20 player and has showcased his bowling prowess in Australia’s Big Bash League which makes him a hot pick in the mini-auction.
3. Avi Barot: The former U-19 captain grabbed the limelight with his whirlwind knock against Goa in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The Saurashtra batsman played a 122-run knock in just 53 balls and laid the foundation of his team’s easy win. His strike-rate of 185 is the 2nd highest in the tournament. His ability to score quick runs can fin him a good side to showcase his talent in IPL 2021.
4. Jason Roy: Another name from Delhi Capital’s list of released players, Jason Roy is known for his batting skills in the top order. He has 5938 runs to his name in the shortest format of the game and possesses a strike rate of 142.98. He has proved his mettle as a dynamic opener at the international stage. He can attract franchises who need an opening batsman.
5. Glenn Maxwell: His below-par show in IPL 2021 was the biggest talking point. Ahead of the 14th season, he was released by Kings XI Punjab and is open to go under the hammer in the mini-auction. Keeping in mind how he returned to form in the limited-overs series against India November 2020 and his track-record for going big in the auctions, there is no reason why Maxwell shouldn’t fancy his chances even this time around.
