With the IPL mega auction set to take place in Riyadh at the end of November, many franchises will be focused on securing a new captain and potential Indian wicket-keepers. Star players like Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul are expected to drive the auction’s pace, with rising talents like Washington Sundar also likely to draw attention. Here’s a team-by-team breakdown:
- Chennai Super Kings (CSK): CSK’s top priority will be to find a successor for MS Dhoni. While Pant would be an ideal fit, their budget of Rs 55 crore could limit options. Ishan Kishan might be a viable choice if MI doesn’t retain him via the right-to-match (RTM) card.
- Delhi Capitals (DC): With Pant departing, DC seeks a leader who can match his impact and value. Shreyas Iyer, who previously led the team to an IPL final, is rumored to be a primary target.
- Gujarat Titans (GT): GT has retained captain Shubman Gill and Wriddhiman Saha but may still pursue Pant, with Rs 69 crore available to bolster the squad.
- Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR): Having released their former captain Iyer, KKR is in the market for a captain. With a Rs 51 crore purse, they may consider KL Rahul or Jos Buttler for the role.
- Lucknow Super Giants (LSG): With Rs 69 crore to spend, LSG has retained Nicholas Pooran for Rs 21 crore but released KL Rahul. They may pursue Pant for his dual role as captain and wicketkeeper.
- Mumbai Indians (MI): MI has appointed Hardik Pandya as captain and is expected to use their RTM card to retain Ishan Kishan.
- Punjab Kings (PBKS): With Ricky Ponting as the new head coach and Rs 110 crore to spend, PBKS will likely aim to build the team around Pant, with a possible RTM use for Arshdeep Singh.
- Rajasthan Royals (RR): RR has secured core players like Sanju Samson, Riyan Parag, and Yashasvi Jaiswal. With Rs 41 crore, they plan to add supporting talent.
- Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB): With Rs 83 crore in the bank, RCB has one of the largest budgets. With Dinesh Karthik transitioning to a coaching role, they may pursue Pant, with KL Rahul as a backup choice.
- Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH): SRH, alongside MI and RR, is in a solid position and is expected to seek supporting players for stars like Klassen, Cummins, Head, Abhishek Sharma, and Nitish Reddy, with Rs 45 crore left.
As the franchises assemble their teams, the auction promises strategic bidding wars, particularly for players with leadership experience and wicketkeeping prowess.
