IPL Auction Day
19th December 2023
IPL auction day is here
How are players priced, how are they scouted, who are the best uncapped Indian surprises, and who is going to have to take a pay cut today?
ESPNcricinfo have an overview of the auction rules and process today, while Cricbuzz have details on the announcement of dates (March 22nd to May-end) & international player availability.
Cricbuzz’s Vijay Tagore believes that today is going to see a more equitable auction compared to the recent past.
Cricket analyst Dan Weston has a fascinating behind-the-scenes explainer about how players are priced and bid for, while Indian Express’ Venkata Krishna B writes about how teams evaluate untested domestic talent.
Speaking of, Revsportz’ Bharath Ramaraj has a pretty comprehensive piece on the best uncapped Indian players who may get a big payday today.
Cricket.com’s Shubh Aggarwal looks at the players who could see a reduction in their value today (think Brook & Thakur), while his colleague Anirudh Suresh looks at the worst value-for-money buys in IPL history!
New Team Director Mo Bobat has said that RCB will be looking for bowlers with the Rs. 40.75 crores they have left. [Note: someone reached out to me saying that PTI actually reported this wrong. RCB only has Rs. 23.25 cr left after the Green trade].
The IPL will allow two bouncers per over in the 2024 edition, in a bid to balance out the batting-heavy advantages of the T20 format.
Al Jazeera’s Anneka Ghosh writes about the IPL’s new (and first female) auctioneer, Mallika Sagar.
Ashwin had a live show yesterday discussing the potential buys during the IPL auction today.
Pakistani cricket can’t catch a break
A plot to dethrone Babar Azam, the Aussie Women are wary of playing India without enough spinners, and Amitabh Bachchan is hitting the streets.
The Free Press Journal’s Rohan Sen writes about the two-minute audio clip that’s going viral in Pakistan because it features PCB chief Zaka Ashraf allegedly plotting to strip Babar Azam of the captaincy!
Meanwhile, Pakistan have been docked WTC points for their slow over rate against Australia.
Rajat Patidar & Rinku Singh might make their ODI debuts against South Africa.
Cricket Australia’s Laura Jolly reports that Australia Women may play up to four spinners in their test match against India this week.
Amitabh Bachchan has bought the Mumbai franchise of the Indian Street Premier League, which is set to debut next March.
An English MP is bidding to make all national matches free-to-air in the country, after the 2005 Ashes inspired him to fall in love with the sport.
The players are following the money though, with ESPNcricinfo’s Matt Roller reporting that multiple English internationals could skip next year’s T20 Blast to play in the America’s MLC instead.
Emerging Cricket’s Rod Lyall reports on the Dutch Cricket Board’s general meeting, their plans for the future, and the surprise windfall they received from the team’s over performance over the last 12 months.
A stepping stone for the women’s game
India are getting serious about the women’s game, South Africa are lost, and Haryana’s unorthodox - and successful - Vijay Hazare Trophy strategy.
The BBC’s Ffion Wynne writes about the importance of the recently concluded India-England test match for the women’s game, while Wisden’s Katya Witney looks back at the riotous (literally!) first tour the English women made of the subcontinent back in 1995/96 .
ESPNcricinfo’s Firdose Moonda writes on how South Africa know who they want to be, but are struggling to be that version of themselves.
ESPNcricinfo’s Shashank Kishore has a great analysis on how Haryana pulled off their improbable Vijay Hazare Trophy victory, including a rarely afforded “long rope” to experiment and make mistakes.
Cricket Australia’s Louis Cameron reports on the training session that changed Mitchell Starc’s form in the middle of the Pakistan test!
Cricket needs to think about the future
Why cricket needs to embrace associate nations and the Internet, Aaron Finch on the Australia-Pakistan series, and talking to Pakistan’s next gen.
Former Irish leg spinner Andrew Leonard goes on the Emerging Cricket podcast to discuss the lack of media attention faced by associate nations, and why cricket authorities’ protectionist nature around highlights is damaging the game in the digital age. [Apple Podcasts]
Sam Perry & Ian Higgins of The Grade Cricketer review Australia’s test against Pakistan with former Aussie international Aaron Finch. [Apple Podcasts]
Grassroots Cricket’s Ariha Fatimah talks to Pakistan youth international Mohammad Zeeshan about the team’s U-19 Asia Cup outing, and their plans for the upcoming U-19 World Cup.
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