The preparations for the new Indian Premier League (IPL) season have well and truly begun. All the 10 franchises will have to submit their final list of retained players by November 15 ahead of a mini auction, slated to be held in December. After a mega-auction last year, in which squads were made for a period of at least three years, the next two seasons will see a one-day mini auction like every year between the big ones for the franchises to plug a few holes here and there.
There will be no cap on number of retention of players like it was in the mega auction. Since all the franchises look at how they can achieve the balance by a couple of additions and subtractions after analysing their performance in the 2022 season, not a lot of changes are expected. However, the franchises will be allowed an increased purse of INR 95 crore for the auction ahead of the 2023 edition of the IPL.
The increase of INR 5 crore and remaining purse at the end of 2022 auction will be the total amount teams will carry in the auction this year in addition to the amount left by players released. For example, with Robin Uthappa retiring from all Indian cricket, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), who have INR 2.95 crore left in their kitty will gain an amount of 2 crore (player’s auction price).
A couple of big overseas names will be on every franchise’s radar. Sam Curran, who didn’t register for the auction earlier this year, will be in big demand and for players like Ben Stokes and Cameron Green, if they are available, will be going to rake in moolah. A few young Indian domestic players, who have caught eyes in he ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy will also be in line to have a big payday.
