Five strategic purchases that we might see in IPL auction 2024

The IPL 2024 player auction lineup has been revealed. 333 players set to be auctioned off. The auction is slated for December 19, 2023, and we've curated a list of anticipated strategic purchases for fans to watch out for.

IPL 2024 auction list is out

• The IPL recently unveiled its final player pool for the 2024 auction, trimming it down to 333 players from the initial 991.
  The auction is scheduled for December 19 in Dubai at 2:30 PM IST.

• Among the players, 214 are Indian, and 119 are international, with two from associate nations.
• The categories include 116 capped players, 215 uncapped players, and two from associate nations.

• There's a total of 77 available slots, with up to 30 reserved for overseas players.
• Notably, 23 players are in the INR 2 crore bracket, and 13 in the INR 1.5 crore bracket.
• Regarding the auction purse, Gujarat Titans possess the highest at INR 38.15 crore, while Lucknow SuperGiants have the lowest at INR 13.15 crore.

Predicted strategic purchases

Pat Cummins to RCB

• Pat Cummins, the 2023 ODI World Cup-winning Australian captain, is a significant name in the upcoming IPL 2024 auction.
• His outstanding bowling skills are globally recognized, and Royal Challengers Bangalore aims to secure him to fortify their bowling lineup.

• While RCB boasts a robust batting lineup compared to other franchises, their bowling side lacks experienced players.
• Adding Pat Cummins to their squad can strategically bridge this gap and enhance the team's overall balance.
• RCB has both the purse capacity and an available overseas slot to secure Cummins on December 19, 2023.

Shardul Thakur to SRH

• In the 2023 IPL season, Shardul Thakur faced challenges with Kolkata Knight Riders and had similar difficulties during the 2023 ODI World Cup.
• Once a key all-rounder for the Indian squad, Thakur aims to rediscover his form in the upcoming 2024 IPL season, and Sunrisers Hyderabad could provide him with that opportunity.

• Sunrisers Hyderabad had a disappointing 2023 IPL season, prompting them to focus on a productive auction. Shardul Thakur emerges as a potential top pick for the team.
• The existing Sunrisers Hyderabad squad lacks seniority and experience, providing a potential niche for Shardul Thakur to contribute with his versatile skills.

Rachin Ravindra to KKR

• This move might surprise many, but Rachin Ravindra’s move to Kolkata Knight Riders could be a strategic push by the franchise.
• KKR aims to bolster their batting attack with the talented young New Zealand batter.

• KKR currently lacks prominent names in their squad, and Ravindra could be the initial foundation stone in their rebuilding process.

Steve Smith to Lucknow SuperGiants

• LSG requires top-order stability in their squad, and a player like Steve Smith could be their best pick in this year’s IPL auction.

• Lucknow will be cautious with their spending during the upcoming auction due to having the lowest valued purse amongst all the franchises (Rs 13.15 crore).
• The Sanjeev Goenka-owned franchise might primarily focus on acquiring Smith’s services, which could significantly strengthen their batting lineup.

Travis Head to Rajasthan Royals

• Lately, Rajasthan Royals have struggled to find the right mix of batters to structure their top order, and they might concentrate on that area in the 2024 auction.

• The Royals could make the most out of this auction by selecting a quality batter like Travis Head, who showcased his prowess in the 2023 ODI World Cup.
• Adding Travis Head’s name to a list that already includes Jos Butler, Sanju Samson, and Shemron Hetmayer could be the perfect finishing touch to their already talented but imbalanced squad.