It’s only one day left for the IPL 2024 auction, which will feature 333 cricketers who are scheduled to go under the gavel in Dubai at the Coca-Cola Arena on December 19th, 2023. The auction will start at 2:30 PM IST and you can watch it live on BCCI.TV¹.

Some of the top players who have placed themselves in the top bracket of Rs 2 crore are England’s star batter Harry Brook and Australia’s World-Cup winning all-rounder Travis Head. They are followed by Rilee Rossouw, Steve Smith, Gerald Coetzee, Pat Cummins, Harshal Patel, Shardul Thakur, Chris Woakes, Josh Inglis, Lockie Ferguson, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Umesh Yadav.

The auction will be a crucial one for both the teams and the players as they will look to strengthen their squads for the upcoming IPL season. Some of the players who have been traded or retained recently are Hardik Pandya and Cameron Green to MI and RCB respectively, Shahbaz Ahamad to Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mayank Dagar to Royal Challengers Bangalore, Avesh Khan to Rajasthan Royals and Devdutt Padikkal to Lucknow Super Giants, Romario Shepherd to Mumbai Indians from Lucknow Super Giants and many more.

Are you excited for the IPL 2024 auction? Which players are you hoping to see in action? 😊

Team strategy for each team in IPL 2024 auction

Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

Last edition’s champions, Chennai are all set for the auctions as they have the best Captain of Cricket, MS Dhoni and many new and famous faces. CSK had an unforgettable year as they won the title after finishing ninth in the previous edition. The team is known for their consistency and great team management. They had invested in young talents, as they followed the philosophy of blending youth with experience. This year they may invest in all-rounders and to add depth in the bowling line-up¹.

Mumbai Indians (MI)

The most successful team of the Indian Premier League led by none other than Rohit Sharma. The five-time champions are all set to get in the auctions this time with a unique mindset of setting the team to lift their fifth title. MI aims to power-up their bowling line-up and power-hitting players. They move very strategically to invest in young talent to maintain a balance in the team of experience and youth brigade.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)

RCB have the most loyal fan base of the IPL as they are being supported by so many fans without even winning a single edition. They have the most famous and best players of the game yet they fail to become the champion every year. This year to hold their maiden title, the team management are focusing on getting the best all-rounders and bowlers to complement their most explosive batting unit led by Faf Du Plessis, Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)

KKR are well known for their aggressive and strategic gameplay. KKR failed to focus on the balance between defending the target and chasing the target. They should try acquiring some consistent batters and bowlers, to not shuffle the team line-up in every match. Kolkata may also think to invest in all-rounders as their experienced ones didn’t perform throughout the edition.

Rajasthan Royals (RR)

RR has always invested in getting the best out of the young and new talents. They strongly hold on to their strategy of investing in the best domestic and worldwide players. Rajasthan sought players who can mould themselves in various conditions and can excel in the unfavourable conditions. This team is led by the most under-rated cricketer of India, Sanju Samson, as he boosts players to complement the ethos of fearless cricket.

Delhi Capitals (DC)

The primary target for Delhi Capitals is to sort their batting departing, which consists of a lean top order and an almost non-existent middle order. While David Warner performed well last season, his opening partner Prithvi Shaw looked a far cry from the player who hammered 479 runs in IPL 2021. Should Shaw’s form be a concern again, an Indian backup opener should be on the Delhi Capitals’ radar. However, the biggest weakness in DC’s squad is the middle order in the batting line-up². The departure of Rilee Rossouw, Phil Salt and Rovman Powell has left a gaping hole at No. 5, 6 and even 7. Ponting and Co. could go for New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell (Rs 1 crore) and Englishman Harry Brook (Rs 2 crore)

Punjab Kings (PBKS):

Punjab Kings will be looking to shed their underachievers’ tag in the 2024 season. They have retained 17 players, including six from overseas, forming a foundation for their squad. They will be entering the IPL 2024 auction with a purse of Rs 29.10 crore. Their primary focus would be to boost their bowling contingent.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)

Sunrisers Hyderabad have shown faith in their core team from the previous season, retaining 19 players for Rs 66 crore. They have six slots available, with a place for three overseas talents, and a purse of Rs 34 crore. Their strategy would be to rebuild and strengthen their squad for a more competitive campaign.

Gujarat Titans (GT)

Gujarat Titans, an emerging force in the IPL, is strategizing for the upcoming 2024 season after the departure of influential captain and all-rounder Hardik Pandya. With the highest purse of Rs 38.15 crore, GT aims to reinforce their squad with strategic acquisitions, focusing on leadership, middle-order stability, and pace-bowling prowess.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)

Lucknow Super Giants will be going into the auction with Rs 13.15 crore in their purse and they would have to spend strategically to get six players, two of which could be overseas. Their strategy would be to boost their bowling contingent and fill the leadership vacuum left by Hardik Pandya.

Most expensive players in IPL history

The most expensive players in IPL history are:

• Sam Curran, who was bought by Punjab Kings for INR 18.50 crore in the IPL 2023 auction. He is a fast bowler and a lower-order batsman who has played for England in all three formats of the game.
• Cameron Green, who was acquired by Mumbai Indians for INR 17.50 crore in the IPL 2023 auction. He is a left-arm fast bowler and a lower-order batsman who has played for Australia in limited-overs cricket.
• Ben Stokes, who was signed by Chennai Super Kings for INR 16.25 crore in the IPL 2023 auction. He is an all-rounder who can bowl fast-medium pace and bat aggressively in the middle order. He has played for England in all three formats of the game and has won several awards, including the ICC Player of the Year in 2019.
• Chris Morris, who was purchased by Rajasthan Royals for INR 16.25 crore in the IPL 2022 auction. He is an all-rounder who can bowl left-arm fast-medium pace and bat lower down the order. He has played for South Africa in limited-overs cricket and has been a key player for his team.

Some of the best uncapped players in IPL history

There are many talented and promising players who have played in the IPL but have not yet made their debut for the national team. Some of them have performed exceptionally well in the IPL and have shown their potential to become stars in the future. Here are some of the best uncapped players in IPL history based on their skills, records, and achievements:

• Yashasvi Jaiswal: He is a young and explosive opener who plays for Rajasthan Royals. He has scored 124 runs off 62 balls against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium in 2023, which was one of the highest individual scores by an uncapped player in IPL history. He has also scored three half-centuries and one century in his IPL career so far. He is known for his aggressive batting style and his ability to hit big shots.
• Paul Valthaty: He is a stylish and elegant batsman who plays for Punjab Kings. He has scored 120 not out off 63 balls against Chennai Super Kings at Mohali in 2011, which was another impressive score by an uncapped player in IPL history. He has also scored two half-centuries and one century in his IPL career so far. He is known for his classy strokeplay and his ability to rotate the strike.
• Shaun Marsh: He is a versatile and experienced batsman who plays for Kings XI Punjab. He has scored 115 runs off 69 balls against Rajasthan Royals at Mohali in 2008, which was one of the highest individual scores by an uncapped player in IPL history. He has also scored two half-centuries and one century in his IPL career so far. He is known for his solid technique and his ability to play according to the situation.
• Manish Pandey: He is a reliable and consistent batsman who plays for Delhi Capitals. He has scored 114 not out off 73 balls against Deccan Chargers at Centurion in 2009, which was another remarkable score by an uncapped player in IPL history. He has also scored two half-centuries and one century in his IPL career so far. He is known for his calm temperament and his ability to anchor the innings.
• Tewatia: He is a talented and hardworking batsman who plays for Sunrisers Hyderabad. He holds a unique fielding record to his name in the IPL as he is one of only six players to have taken four catches in a single IPL match. Apart from him, the only Indian to accomplish this feat is Sachin Tendulkar. Faf du Plessis, David Warner, Jacques Kallis, and David Miller are the other four names on the list. Tewatia has also scored two half-centuries and one century in his IPL career so far. He is known for his agility, reflexes, and stamina.

These are some of the best uncapped players in IPL history based on their skills, records, and achievements. However, there are many other players who have shown their potential and talent as well.