13-Year-Old Vaibhav Suryavanshi Becomes Youngest Entrant in IPL Auction History

Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Arshdeep Singh headline the marquee list of 574 players set to go under the hammer at the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on November 24 and 25. With a top base price of ₹2 crore, these stars will lead a field of elite cricketers as franchises gear up for a competitive bidding war.

The Youngest Entrant and Pruned List

Among the 574 shortlisted players, 366 are Indians, and 208 are from overseas, with 81 players in the top price bracket. Thirteen-year-old India U-19 cricketer Vaibhav Suryavanshi from Bihar stands out as the youngest player, priced at ₹30 lakh.

The initial pool of 1,574 players was trimmed by the BCCI, ensuring a competitive and focused selection process. Key names in the ₹2 crore bracket include England’s Jos Buttler, Harry Brook, and Jonny Bairstow, as well as South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje, and Australia’s Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, and Mitchell Starc.

Pant and Punjab Kings Likely to Dominate

Rishabh Pant is expected to be the most sought-after player in the auction, with the Punjab Kings reportedly aiming to make a big move, armed with a ₹110.50 crore purse. Other high-profile Indian players in the top bracket include Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Avesh Khan.

Overseas Contingent and Associate Nations

Retired England pacer James Anderson has surprisingly made the list with a ₹1.25 crore base price, despite T20 not being his forte. Emerging stars like Marco Jansen (₹1.25 crore) and New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra join established overseas names.

From the Associate Nations category, former India U-19 World Cup-winning captain Unmukt Chand, now representing the USA, secured a spot, while notable players like Saurabh Nethravalkar and Italy’s Thomas Draca missed out.

Auction Dynamics and Franchise Strategies

The auction promises a strategic showdown as teams look to bolster their squads with a mix of experience and emerging talent. With a diverse pool spanning capped and uncapped players, franchises will aim to strike the right balance to achieve IPL glory.

As the countdown to the auction begins, all eyes will be on how teams navigate the exciting player pool, with superstars like Pant and Buttler expected to fetch record-breaking bids.