IPL 2018: 1122 players registered for the auction
With the 2018 IPL auction just a couple of weeks away, the deadline for the IPL player registration closed last night (Friday, January 12, 2018) with as many as 1122 players signing up to be a part of the mega player auction which is scheduled to take place in Bengaluru on January 27 and 28.
The final list that has been sent out to the eight IPL franchises has 281 capped players, 838 uncapped players, which includes a whopping 778 uncapped Indian players. It is also confirmed that there are three players from the associate countries. A total of 282 overseas players (both capped and uncapped) and 840 Indians (62 capped and 778 uncapped) have registered for the auction.
Among the 282 overseas players, Australia have the most number of players in the auction with 58 and are closely followed by South Africa with 57. Sri Lanka and West Indies have 39 representatives in the auction while New Zealand and England have 30 and 20 respectively.
Apart from these countries, players from Afghanistan (13), Bangladesh (8), Zimbabwe (7) and Ireland (2) have registered for the auction. Surprisingly, two players from USA and one player from Scotland have also registered for the IPL auction.
The usual suspects like Chris Gayle, Ben Stokes, Ajinkya Rahane, Yuvraj Singh, Gautam Gambhir, Jos Buttler, Rashid Khan, Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard etc., who are expected to fetch a huge sum at the auction, have registered for the mega auction.
England captain Joe Root, who was not a part of the previous editions, has registered himself for the player auction.
According to a press release, "Dwayne Bravo, Carlos Brathwaite, Evin Lewis and Jason Holder will add the Caribbean flavour to the league. Lasith Malinga will lead Sri Lanka’s entourage that includes Angelo Mathews, the exciting Niroshan Dickwella, and Thisara Perera.
Showing his full range of strokes will be Glenn Maxwell, all-rounder Shane Watson and Mitchell Johnson, who bowled Mumbai Indians to their third title last season with his final over heroics.
Hashim Amla, who hit two centuries for Kings XI Punjab in the 10th season will be hoping for a high bid with compatriots Faf du Plessis, Quinton de Kock, David Miller and speedsters Morne Morkel and Kagiso Rabada.
Kane Williamson, Colin Munro and Tom Latham from New Zealand will add their charm to the league.
The VIVO IPL has always been about the union of talent and opportunity and India U19 captain Prithvi Shaw, Baroda skipper Deepak Hooda, all-rounder Krunal Pandya and Basil Thampi will fill up the uncapped players’ slot. Australian D'Arcy Short and youngster Jofra Archer will be hoping to cash in on their recent T20 form."