As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 mini-auction approaches, all ten franchises are preparing for the big day. Each team was given Rs. 95 crores to assemble their teams, and it would be intriguing to see how the final rosters turn out. While numerous well-known names will be auctioned off, there will also be some noteworthy absences. Let’s have a look at the latter.
A look at the key details
The auction will take place on December 23 in Kochi. It will begin at 2:30 PM IST. While 405 players have been shortlisted, only the first 86 will almost probably be summoned for an auction. The remainder will be included in the accelerated procedure, which will begin with player No. 87. Several renowned players will be absent from the high-stakes bidding tournament.
Martin Guptill is not among the shortlisted players
Martin Guptill of New Zealand, who registered in the Rs. 1 crore range, was not chosen. Guptill, the third-highest T20I scorer, has struggled in the IPL. He has only 270 runs at 22.5 in 13 matches. In 2019, the brisk opener played his final IPL match. Franchises have shown no interest in him as his stock has fallen.
End of road for Kedar Jadhav in IPL?
Kedar Jadhav, a former key member of India’s white-ball teams is struggling with the form. The 37-year-old, who went unsold last season, is unlikely to play in the IPL again. Notably, he has 1,196 runs at 22.15 in 93 IPL games. He memorably struck a match-winning six in the final over of the IPL 2018 opener against Mumbai Indians while playing for Chennai Super Kings.
Pat Cummins pulls out to manage the workload
Pat Cummins, who received a whopping 15.5 crore from Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2020 auction, has yet to register for the next season. As Australia’s Test and One-Day International skipper, he seeks to manage the workload on international assignments. He has 45 wickets at 30.16 in 42 IPL matches. One of his three IPL fifties came off 14 balls, the tournament’s joint-fastest.
Mitchell Starc continues to stay away from IPL
Mitchell Starc, Cummins’ Australian partner, will skip another IPL season to stay healthy for international games. The left-arm bowler, who last played in the IPL in 2015, has 34 wickets in 27 games at a strike rate of 20.38. Notably, Starc is one of the best pacers in the game and is capable of sparking a bidding war among organizations. His major priority, though, has been international cricket.
Steve Smith is to miss this season
Another Australian on this list is Steve Smith, who has yet to register. Smith, a former Rising Pune Supergiant and Rajasthan Royals captain, has made an impact in the IPL. However, his stock in T20 cricket has recently dropped. He was even unsold last season. Meanwhile, he has 2,485 runs at 34.51(the 50s: 11, 100: 1) in 103 IPL appearances.
