From MI's last-minute coup to get Hardik to dropping some of the biggest names!
It’s that time of the year when Indian Premier League (IPL) teams have to do their permutations and combinations to assemble their strongest squad in a bid to lift the trophy. The IPL 2024 auction is slated for December 19 and will see teams vying to secure their top choices. The deadline to submit the list of released and retained players for the upcoming season ended today (November 19).
Mumbai Indians (MI), who have won the IPL five times made headlines by getting back Hardik Pandya from Gujarat Titans. After Gujarat Titans officially announced retaining the all-rounder, MI in a last-minute coup secured the deal for Hardik just an hour later. MI also let go of some heavyweight names from their squad.
Last IPL season, Mumbai Indians had a strong team with experienced players and young talents and made it to the playoffs as well. Mumbai Indians will be striving to strike a balance by making the necessary changes in the upcoming auction.
As of the previous season, BCCI allowed franchises to use the “TRADE” option where teams can exchange players between them. The ‘IPL Trade Window’ allows the franchises to either swap players between themselves or buy players for an all-cash deal.
The IPL 2024 players released will be put up on auction and get the opportunity to join another team before the league begins.
According to the IPL rules, each franchise can have 25 players in their squad, out of which a maximum of 8 can be foreign players. In Playing XI, each team can have a maximum of 4 overseas players in the mix.
IPL 2024 Auction Date: BCCI planned to host the IPL 2024 Auction in Dubai on December 19. The deadline for the final submission of the list of released and retained players is November 26.
IPL Auction 2024 Venue: BCCI planned to host the IPL 2024 Auction in Dubai. As this will be a mini-auction, it will be a day-long event only. Notably, IPL 2024 Auction will be the first of its kind to be held overseas.
MI Players Released: Mumbai Indians, as anticipated dropped a few big names from their squad for the upcoming auction. Releasing the likes of Chris Jordan or Jofra Archer will give them the freedom to secure the services of a foreign player too. While Archer has been marred with injuries, Jordan has failed to restrict runs at the death. MI also decided to let go Cameron Green to RCB for 17.5 crore at the penultimate moment to fund the move for Hardik. The final Released Players list by MI is given below.
MI Players Retained: After some late drama, MI secured the services of Hardik Pandya from GT. Mumbai Indians have already traded in Romario Shepherd from Lucknow Super Giants for INR 50 lakhs. Check the final Retained Players list by MI is given below.
BCCI increased the purse value of the franchises by INR 5 crores over the existing purse value of about INR 95 crores. Notably, Mumbai Indians will head into the auction with third third-lowest remaining purse. MI have 8 slots available including 3 overseas.
MI Remaining purse: Mumbai Indians have a remaining value of INR 15.25 crore
Mumbai Indians have always had a reputation for scripting fightbacks and turning around fortunes. The franchise has always boasted of star players who can single-handedly win matches. Since MI decided to part ways with the likes of Archer, they filled the void with the signing of star all-rounder Hardik Pandya. It will be interesting to see who all they add to the team in the auction, but will have limited options given their purse value.
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