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Some of the world’s best cricketers will be among the 574 players seeking Indian Premier League paydays when the lucrative T20 tournament begins its annual auction on Sunday.
AFP Sport looks at five stars up for grabs during the two-day bidding frenzy in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The season is expected to begin in March.
– James Anderson (England) –
The England Test great is keen to add one final chapter to his storied career and is seeking an IPL place for the first time, entering the auction at a base price of $148,115.
The 42-year-old fast bowler retired from Tests earlier this year after taking 704 wickets, the third highest in five-day history after Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan and Australian spin king Shane Warne.
He has limited match experience over 20 years, playing 19 international matches for England, including his last 15 years.
But Anderson said he was not ready to call time on his career, prompting West Indian great Viv Richards to compare his longevity to that of LeBron James.
– Mitchell Starc (Australia) –
The 34-year-old broke the IPL auction record last year when Kolkata Knight Riders secured his services for $2.98 million.
The quick and handy left-arm lower order hitter was instrumental in their title run, including taking 2-14 in the final against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Calcutta nevertheless chose not to retain him. “That’s what it is, it’s franchise cricket,” Starc said.
With 193 wickets in 142 T20 matches, the imposing Starc – he stands 1.96 meters (6ft 4in) tall – enters the auction at the highest base price of $237,000.
– Rishabh pants (India) –
Pant, 27, was forced out of competitive cricket for over a year after a serious car accident in December 2022, but returned to captain the Delhi Capitals this year.
India’s best keeper-batsman and the franchise parted ways after their disappointing sixth-place finish and Pant will also enter the auction at the base price of $237,000.
With his sharp gloves and knack for tackling bowlers with attacking and unconventional batting, experts believe he is in the running for a record salary.
“Mitchell Starc’s auction record is in danger,” former India quick Irfan Pathan said on social media.
– David Miller (South Africa) –
Known as ‘Killer Miller’ for his destructive batting, the South African has an international T20 strike rate close to 140.
The 35-year-old is also looking for a new home after playing with the Gujarat Titans since the team’s inception in 2022, smashing 210 runs in nine matches during this year’s season.
India’s dismissal of Miller in this year’s T20 World Cup final in Barbados was a key moment in the match and the Proteas went on to lose.
It’s likely to spark a bidding war after listing for auction at a base price of $178,000.
– Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand) –
Ravindra made an instant impact on his IPL debut this year, smashing 222 runs at a punishing strike rate of over 161 for Chennai Super Kings.
The left-hander’s ability to bowl with aplomb on pitches across the subcontinent enabled him to do well in last year’s ODI World Cup and in the recent 3-0 Test whitewash of New York. Zealand in India.
Wellington-born Ravindra’s parents are from Bengaluru and are hoping he joins the city franchise, which also includes fan favorite Virat Kohli.
The 25-year-old’s first name reflects his father’s love for the greats of Indian cricket: “Ra” by Rahul Dravid and “chin” by Sachin Tendulkar.
Ravindra enters the auction with a base price of $178,000.
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