It’s time for Indian Premier League (IPL) supporters to bring smiles to their faces as the league will return with its 2024 player auction on December 19 in Dubai. For the humongous business event, a total of 333 players will be up for grabs and play in the 2024 edition of the cash-rich league.
At the auction, some franchises will set their eyes on some talented youngsters who possess the potential to become huge names in the T20 extravaganza. Ahead of the crucial event in Dubai, it’s time to know the five youngest names to be featured in the 2024 IPL auction.
Here are the five youngest players who will participate in the 2024 IPL auction
5. Harry Brook- 24
England’s Harry Brook was Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) costliest buy in the 2023 IPL auction at a price of INR 13.25 crore. The 24-year-old failed to justify his amount in the competition which led to his release from the Orange Army’s squad before the IPL 2024 auction. Playing his debut season, he amassed only 190 runs in 11 matches at a low average of 123.38.
The England stalwart has listed himself in the price bracket of INR 2 crore and he is expected to do big in the upcoming auction. Brook’s batting numbers are outstanding in T20 Internationals (T20I). In 26 matches, he has piled up 500 runs for England at a fine strike rate of 139.27.
After the disappointing IPL season, Brook looked impressive in the 2023 edition of the Hundred competition. Representing Northern Superchargers, he notched up 238 runs in seven innings of eight matches at a breathtaking strike rate of 196.69 and ended up as the third-leading run-getter in the tournament.
4. Rachin Ravindra- 24
New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra looked remarkable with his bat in the 2023 World Cup. The southpaw accumulated 578 runs with three tons and two fifties in 10 games and concluded the competition as the fourth-leading run-scorer in the massive tournament. Following his batting exploits in the World Cup, there were talks about his participation in the 2024 IPL auction.
Ravindra’s name will be announced in the auction with his base price of INR 50 lakh but he is expected to cause a bidding battle among the franchises. Noting his dominance over bowlers in the 2023 World Cup played in India, the buyers won’t hesitate to splurge big money on him.
Ravindra, who will be one of the youngest players in the auction, hasn’t played a lot of T20I cricket but that fact may not affect his chances of getting a decent amount in the auction. The Kiwi stalwart has played 18 T20Is, in which he scored 145 runs at an underwhelming strike rate of 117.88.
3. Gerald Coetzee- 23
After Anrich Nortje’s injury, South Africa brought Gerald Coetzee into their squad for the 2023 World Cup. He took this golden opportunity with both hands and became the leading wicket-taker for the Proteas with 20 wickets in eight games at an economy of 6.23.
After the stupendous World Cup performance, Coetzee is looking to return to India in 2024 for the 17th IPL season. The 23-year-old has submitted his name for the upcoming auction and he will be the third youngest player at the business event. His basic price is INR 2 crore but his talent may get him an enormous amount.
The right-arm bowler serves Joburg Super Kings in the SA20 League and his bowling performance was extraordinary in the 2023 edition of the tournament. Scalping 17 wickets in nine contests at an economy of 8.07, he ended up as the third-leading wicket-taker in the competition. His excellent work throughout 2023 can hand him a lucrative contract at the end of the year.
2. Mujeeb Ur Rahman- 22
Afghanistan’s spin-bowling stalwart Mujeeb Ur Rahman is looking to make a comeback in IPL after three years.
Back in 2018, the 17-year-old Mujeeb made his debut in the cash-rich league with a bang. He claimed 14 wickets in 11 games at a thrifty economy of 6.99 and ended up as Punjab Kings’ (PBKS) second-leading wicket-taker in the competition.
After the magnificent season, his downfall started in the league and now, it’s been more than two years, since he has failed to feature in the mega T20 tournament. Mujeeb has enrolled his name for the auction and he will be the second youngest player at the event.
The 22-year-old’s base price will be INR 2 crore which may keep the buyers away in the auction. In recent times, the off-break bowler hasn’t done anything special with the ball in the international circle and T20 leagues, and considering this fact, franchises may hesitate to invest more than 1 crore in him.
1. Rehan Ahmed- 19
England’s 19-year-old leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed will be the youngest player in the auction. His name will go into the auction with a reserved price of INR 50 lakh. The youngster has proven his bowling prowess in the 2023 Hundred competition. In difficult English conditions, he grabbed nine wickets in nine games at a thrifty economy of 6.96.
In India’s turning tracks, he has the potential to utilize his leg-break bowling skills and be lethal against batters. The youngster has played three T20Is in England’s jersey and in those outings, he picked up three wickets at a superb economy of 7.11.
Before the auction, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have released Wanindu Hasaranga, who used to be their spin-bowling spearhead. At the upcoming important event, Rehan may grab their attention as the franchise will have to fill the spot of the frontline spinner.
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