The excitement around the Indian Premier League (IPL) mini auction has officially begun, with teams gearing up for a high‑stakes bidding battle in Abu Dhabi. With 77 slots vacant and ₹237.55 crore remaining across 10 franchises, the stage is set for an intense auction day.
350 Players Shortlisted From 1335 Registrations
A total of 1335 players had registered for the mini auction, but the BCCI filtered the list down to 350 players. The breakdown is as follows:
- 16 capped Indian players
- 96 capped foreign players
- 224 uncapped Indian players
- 14 uncapped foreign players
Despite the large pool, only 77 slots are available, making competition fierce.
Big Purses: KKR and CSK Enter as Auction Heavyweights
Two teams are expected to dominate the auction table — Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK). KKR has undergone a major squad overhaul and enters the auction with the highest purse, while CSK also holds a strong balance to rebuild key areas.
Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians (MI) enter with the lowest purse, making their strategy even more crucial.
Team Purse & Slot Breakdown (Top 5)
|
Team |
Purse Remaining |
Slots Available |
|
KKR |
₹64.3 Cr |
13 |
|
CSK |
₹43.4 Cr |
9 |
|
SRH |
₹25.5 Cr |
10 |
|
LSG |
₹22.95 Cr |
6 |
|
DC |
₹21.8 Cr |
8 |
Team Purse & Slot Breakdown (Remaining Teams)
|
Team |
Purse Remaining |
Slots Available |
|
RR |
₹16.5 Cr |
9 |
|
RCB |
₹16.4 Cr |
8 |
|
PBKS |
₹11.5 Cr |
4 |
|
GT |
₹12.9 Cr |
5 |
|
MI |
₹2.75 Cr |
5 |
40 Players Listed at Highest Base Price of ₹2 Crore
A total of 40 players have entered the auction with the top base price of ₹2 crore. Surprisingly, only two Indians are in this elite bracket:
- Venkatesh Iyer
- Ravi Bishnoi
Other base price categories include:
- ₹1.5 crore – 9 players
- ₹1.25 crore – 4 players
- ₹1 crore – 17 players
- ₹75 lakh – 42 players
- ₹50 lakh – 4 players
- ₹40 lakh – 7 players
- ₹30 lakh – 227 players
14 Karnataka Players in the Auction Pool
Karnataka continues to be a strong talent hub, with 14 players entering the mini auction. Key names include:
- Mayank Agarwal
- Abhinav Manohar
- Vidwath Kaverappa
- Manoj Bhandage
Mayank Agarwal, listed at a base price of ₹75 lakh, has reportedly attracted interest from Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
Fan Curiosity Peaks Ahead of the Auction
Even though it’s a mini auction, fan excitement is at an all‑time high. Questions buzzing among supporters include:
- Who will KKR and CSK target with their massive purses
- How will MI strategize with just ₹2.75 crore
- Which players are on RCB’s radar
- Who will emerge as the surprise picks of the day
Key Highlights at a Glance
- IPL mini auction begins today in Abu Dhabi
- 77 slots vacant, ₹237.55 crore purse remaining
- 350 players shortlisted
- 40 players in ₹2 crore base price bracket
- 14 Karnataka players in the auction pool
- KKR & CSK
