The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 auction is scheduled for Friday, December 23 in Kochi. There are a total of 405 cricketers who have been shortlisted to be auctioned off. This time, in contrast to the previous auction, which was a comprehensive one, there will be a mini-auction.
There are 4 associate nations among the 405 cricketers selected for the player auction, of which 273 are Indian and 132 are from outside the country.
Except for the four cricketers from associate nations, the list includes 119 players with caps and 282 uncapped players. At the IPL 2023 auction, only 87 slots are available, with 30 going to international cricketers.
11 players have included their names in the auction for a base price of 1.5 crores, while 19 players have listed their names at the highest reserve price of 2 crores. In addition, twenty cricketers have a starting salary of one crore rupees.
Prior to the auction, one of the most pressing concerns of IPL fans is who will be paid the most. In this feature, we forecast the top five IPL 2023 mini-auction purchases.
#5 Mayank Agarwal
In IPL 2022, Mayank Agarwal led the Punjab Kings (PBKS) as captain. He managed only 196 runs in 13 matches at an average of 16.33 and a strike rate of 122.50, however, and the season was utterly forgettable. Agarwal received only one-fifty throughout the edition. For the team’s sake, he even moved down the order, but he didn’t succeed with the willow.
Despite the Punjab Kings’ announcement of his release from their retention list, you can anticipate that he will be in high demand during the mini-auction. He had two very good seasons prior to the 2022 edition, scoring over 400 runs at impressive strike rates.
Agarwal is a match-winner in the format, and franchises would like to have him on their team because of his experience.
The 31-year-old has put his name up for auction in the IPL 2023 for a base price of one crore rupees. He ought to receive high bids.
#4 Sikandar Raza
Over the past year or so, veteran Zimbabwean all-rounder Sikandar Raza has performed admirably in white-ball cricket. The 36-year-old stood his ground among a portion of the large names in the T20 World Cup in Australia, in any event, procuring acclaim from Aussie legend Ricky Ponting.
At a strike rate of 147.97, the right-handed batter scored 219 runs in eight T20 World Cup matches. With his vigilant off-turn, he asserted 10 wickets at a normal of 15.60. He was in the majority of the T20 World Cup 2022 XIs selected by experts after his outstanding performance.
Raza is a player with a big impact who can completely change the game, especially with the willow. The Zimbabwean star has recorded his name at a base cost of ₹50 lakh. Following the IPL 2023 auction, anticipate an impressive pay package for him.
#3 Cameron Green
The Australian all-rounder Cameron Green is unquestionably capable of big hits. However, during the tour of India, when David Warner was rested, his sensational performance thrust him into the unprecedented spotlight. The 23-year-old scored the most runs in the three-match T20I series, scoring 118 runs at an incredible strike rate of 214.55 and an average of 39.33.
Green won the first Twenty20 International Player of the Match award for his brutal 30-ball 61, which included eight fours and four sixes. Australia easily snatched 209 thanks to his efforts. In spite of losing the third T20I, the right-handed batter scored 52 runs off 21 to show that his innings were not a fluke.
Green is able to play blinders because he is so confident in his big-hitting ability. Additionally, he is a decent pace bowler. The Australian all-rounder has put himself in the range of 2 crores for the IPL auction. Green’s fitness is a concern, but experts think that franchises could be expensive for him.
#2 Ben Stokes
England’s Test skipper Ben Stokes is and by absorbing the praise subsequent to driving his side to a 3-0 whitewash in Pakistan. With “Bazball,” he and coach Brendon McCullum have improved the team’s Test performance. Regarding Twenty20 Internationals, Stokes was relatively quiet at the World Cup, but he stood his ground when it mattered most.
After a batting slump, the left-handed batter led the team to victory with an unbeaten 42 in their must-win match against Sri Lanka. In addition, he scored the most runs with a mature fifty (52*) against Pakistan in the high-pressure final. On the big stage, Stokes is always known to perform well.
He has entered the IPL 2023 auction for a base price of 2 crores, despite not playing in the 2022 season. You can anticipate that franchises will rush to acquire his services.
#1 Sam Curran
As the T20 World Cup 2022 Player of the Tournament and Player of the Final, England all-rounder Sam Curran appears to be the front-runner for the most expensive purchase in the IPL 2023 auction.
The versatile cricketer, who is 24 years old, took the second most wickets during the T20 World Cup, taking 13 wickets at an exceptional economy rate of 6.52 and an average of 11.38.
Curran had the best bowling performance against Afghanistan during England’s title-winning campaign, scoring 5/10. He performed admirably throughout the competition, culminating in the final with stunning scores of 3/12, which secured England’s victory.
For the IPL auction, Curran has listed his name with a base price of 2 crores. You can anticipate a very high demand for him.