The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Indian Premier League (IPL) have revealed the detailed list of 574 players shortlisted for the much-awaited mega-auction. This event, set to take place on November 24 and 25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, has already sparked excitement amongst fans and franchises alike.
Adding to the anticipation, the timings for the two-day auction have been confirmed to begin at 3:30 PM (IST) on both days. However, the scheduling has also raised questions about its overlap with India’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) Test series against Australia, potentially creating logistical challenges.
IPL Auction Timings and BGT Overlap
The first Test of the BGT series between India and Australia begins on November 22 in Perth, with play starting at 7:50 AM IST. The IPL auction is scheduled to start at 3:30 PM IST, meaning both Day 3, and Day 4’s action will have come to an end by the time the event kicks off in Jeddah.
Although there will be no timing conflicts between the Test and the auction, the event would still be expected to somewhat divide attention between the auction and the on-field action, particularly for Indian players and decision-makers involved in both events.
How Does the IPL Auction and BGT Clash Impact Teams?
The clash in scheduling presents unique challenges. Indian Test players who are part of the auction pool will have to balance their focus between the Test match and the auction buzz. Meanwhile, franchise scouts and management may need to keep one eye on the Test match to assess player form while finalising their bids.
IPL Auction List – Indians and Overseas
The IPL has shortlisted 574 players from an initial pool of 1574 registrants. This includes:
- Indian Players: 366 players, including 48 capped players.
- Overseas Players: 208 players, with 193 capped and 12 from associate nations.
The list includes marquee stars and emerging talents, promising a competitive auction.
Franchises will aim to create winning squads, considering performances from ongoing matches and player records. With the BGT series happening simultaneously, teams must carefully strategise to maximise their bids in Jeddah while monitoring the action in Perth.
