Ahead of the IPL Auction in Dubai on December 19, R Ashwin foresees a significant buzz around Australian bowlers Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, predicting they might fetch bids exceeding Rs 14 crore each.
As the IPL 2024 auction approaches, excitement surges within the cricketing world, with expectations soaring high. Anticipation surrounds the availability of renowned players such as Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Lockie Ferguson, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Harry Brook among others. R Ashwin, a member of the Rajasthan Royals, has spiced up the predictions for the upcoming auction by using a unique approach.
Ashwin, in his foresight for player values, associated different cricket shots with specific price brackets. He tagged defensive shots for the Rs 2-4 crore range, drives for Rs 4-7 crores, pull shots for Rs 7-10 crores, slogs for Rs 10-14 crores, and reserved the iconic helicopter shot for bids exceeding Rs 14 crores.
Notably, while both Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins received the helicopter shot prediction, Ashwin surprisingly assessed that the World Cup final hero, Travis Head, might fetch a value between Rs 2-4 crores in the auction.
Ashwin’s predictions also highlight expectations for Shahrukh Khan, the released Punjab Kings all-rounder, likely to spark a bidding war between Rs 10-14 crores. He foresees Rachin Ravindra, emerging from New Zealand’s World Cup stint, drawing bids in the Rs 4-7 crore range. Additionally, projections for Harshal Patel and Gerald Coetzee stand at Rs 7-10 crores each, while Rovman Powell might see bids between Rs 4-7 crores.
The Indian off-spinner further envisions a price range of Rs 4-7 crores for the out-of-favor bowler Umesh Yadav, indicating potential interest despite his exclusion from national plans.
In Dubai, the upcoming auction marks a first outside India, featuring 333 cricketers—214 Indian and 119 overseas players. Notably, 116 have international experience. The auction commences at 1:30 PM IST with a total of 77 slots to fill.
Last Updated on December 18, 2023
Senior Sports Copywriter
