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The Indian Premier League (IPL) is back for its 17th season in 2024 and cricket fans across India can't contain their excitement. After a hugely successful 2023 season that saw the Gujarat Titans lift their maiden title, all eyes are now on the upcoming player auction and team squads for 2024. Here's a look at some of the major aspects
cricket news is talking about ahead of next year's IPL extravaganza.
The IPL player auction is a platform for the 10 IPL franchises to rebuild and strengthen their squads for the upcoming season. With the retention deadline passed, all the franchises now have the opportunity to bid for some of the biggest cricket stars who are up for grabs. This auction promises to be an exciting bidding war between the teams to secure the services of top players.
Franchises enter the auction with a fixed salary purse and specific squad requirements to fill. They will have identified players of interest who fit the profile and budget. When a franchise bids for a player, the bidding amount goes up in increments set by the auctioneer. Other franchises can then choose to increase the bid further through a process of counter-bidding, driving the price up. This often leads to intense battles between franchises before a player is finally sold.
Some players in high demand may attract record prices. For example, last year Ishan Kishan was bought by Mumbai Indians for a whopping Rs 15.25 crore. Franchises also try to get good bargains by bidding for emerging talents who could turn out to be game-changers. Once the auction concludes, fans eagerly await the final squads and analyze how well their favorite teams fared.
The 2023 season saw a change of guard in the leadership roles for some prominent IPL franchises. Mumbai Indians decided to hand over the captaincy reins to young wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan, ending Rohit Sharma's long reign who had led the team to five IPL titles. At just 24, Kishan is one of the most exciting talents in Indian cricket right now and the responsibility of captaining a big franchise like Mumbai Indians will help accelerate his growth and leadership skills.
Delhi Capitals also named Rishabh Pant as their new full-time captain, hoping the dynamic wicketkeeper-batter can inspire the team to greater heights. Pant has been an integral part of the Delhi franchise for years and is now primed to lead from the front. Meanwhile, Sanju Samson has been rewarded for his consistent performances by being named Rajasthan Royals' permanent captain. Samson will be eager to end the team's drought for a second IPL title.
The BCCI is yet to announce the full schedule and venues for IPL 2024. However, going by tradition, the tournament will most likely be held in India between March and May next year. The matches are expected to be played across popular cricket stadiums in cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Hyderabad. As per the
latest cricket news, the tournament may see a few double headers - two matches being played at the same venue on the same day to accommodate the busy cricket calendar.
With the T20 World Cup scheduled for later in 2024, Indian players will be eyeing another stellar IPL season to cement their places in the national T20 squad. Young talents like Umran Malik, Arshdeep Singh, and Rahul Tewatia will look to build on their impressive displays from 2023. Veteran stars like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja will be key for their respective franchises. Meanwhile, all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Ravichandran Ashwin will have important roles to play as leaders of the new-look Gujarat and Rajasthan sides.
The 2023 IPL saw a new champion in Gujarat Titans, ending Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings' dominance in recent years. As defending champions, Hardik Pandya's men will start as one of the favourites. But other top teams like Lucknow Super Giants, Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals will be gunning for the title. With new captains and coaches, the competition for the number one spot is expected to be fiercely contested. Fans can look forward to many nail-biting thrillers as the 10 franchises go head to head.
The presence of world-class overseas cricketers is a big attraction of the IPL. Fans will be excited to see stars from all cricketing nations once again light up the tournament with their skills. England players like Jos Buttler, Liam Livingstone, and Sam Curran will look to continue their stellar IPL form. West Indies power-hitter Nicholas Pooran and Afghanistan spin wizard Rashid Khan are always a delight to watch. Meanwhile, South African pace aces Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje will lead their teams' bowling attacks. The participation of these top foreign players is a huge draw for cricket fans globally.
With less than six months to go for the opening match, IPL fever is already gripping the nation. Cricket enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting more announcements on the schedule, venues and squads. Fantasy sports platforms and betting sites are buzzing with predictions and odds for the upcoming season. Meanwhile, broadcasters and digital streaming platforms are gearing up for extensive coverage of the two-month extravaganza. With new captains, coaches, players and storylines, IPL 2024 promises to be an enthralling watch. The countdown is well and truly on for another blockbuster edition of the world's richest cricket league.
As the dates for IPL 2024 inch closer, the anticipation continues to build up exponentially with each passing day. Fans can hardly wait for the action to get underway as their favorite stars and teams take to the field once again. With new talents emerging while experienced campaigners looking to make an impact, the upcoming season is sure to be a thrilling rollercoaster ride from start to finish. In the end, one thing is for certain - millions of viewers across the globe will be glued to their screens, experiencing the unparalleled drama and entertainment that is the Indian Premier League.
