'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
With the twelfth edition of the Indian Premier League still over three months away, the excitement has already started building up among the cricket fans with the IPL auctions scheduled early this time around. Since the ICC Cricket World Cup will be played in June- July, the IPL will also be pushed early by a few days and this has also led to the auctions being scheduled this year.
The auction is scheduled to take place on India on December 18, 2018, in Jaipur.
346 players from all over the world will go under the hammer and fight for a handful of vacant positions left in each team. The auction list includes 118 capped players and 228 uncapped players from India and abroad. The auction will be a one-day affair this time, unlike the mega auctions that were held across two days for the previous season.
Trending
The teams that performed well last season have retained most of their players and would just be looking to further strengthen their squad. On the other side, the teams that failed to perform to expectations last season have released a majority of their players and will be looking to start fresh this season.
With all eyes set to turn to the auction, we give you a preview of what each team might aim to do in the auctions to build a strong title-winning side.
Follow Sportskeeda for all the latest IPL 2019 Auction news, updates, probable playing XI, fantasy tips and stats.
Chennai Super Kings
Major players released: Mark Wood
Amount left in purse: 8.4 crore
Slots available: 2 Indians
Having retained almost the whole of the title winning squad of last year, Chennai Super Kings have only slots for 2 Indian players left. As most bases are covered, CSK might look for an Indian pacer and batsman each to add to the squad depth.
Chennai Super Kings' middle-order will be strengthened by the return Kedar Jadhav, who missed the whole of last season after playing a match-winning cameo in the first match. They have also decided to keep their faith in Mitchell Santner, who hasn't played a match for almost 10 months now.
Expect the yellow brigade to be the least active team in the auction.
Players to target:
Chennai Super Kings can spend extra on Mohammed Shami or Ishant Sharma as they lack quality Indian pacers and their presence can ensure a fully rounded team. They could also look to buy back one of their finds of previous seasons- Mohit Sharma.
Follow Sportskeeda for all the latest IPL 2019 Auction news, updates, probable playing XI, fantasy tips and stats.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Major players released: Shikhar Dhawan (traded to Delhi Daredevils), Alex Hales, Wriddhiman Saha, Carlos Brathwaite, Chris Jordan
Major trade-in: Vijay Shankar, Shahbaz Nadeem
Amount left in purse: 9.70 crore
Slots available: 3 Indian, 2 Overseas
There's no doubt that Sunrisers Hyderabad have the best bowling attack in the league. However Shikhar Dhawan's departure to Delhi has meant that they are at least one Indian batsman short in their squad. They've got Vijay Shankar in his place, and he will bolster the middle order, but they will want a top-order Indian and foreign batsman each.
They have also released Wriddhiman Saha, who has been struggling with injuries off-late. This means that Shreevats Goswami is the only wicketkeeper in the squad. So, they'll definitely look to get a wicketkeeper from the auction.
They might also look at a back-up for David Warner, considering that he wouldn't be coming off too much international cricket, and could also be called up early by Cricket Australia.
Players to target:
Manan Vohra could be a good attacking option at the top of the order for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
They could also look at options like Brendon McCullum, Shaun Marsh or Darcy Short at the top of the order.
Nicholas Pooran or Henrich Klassen are possible wicket-keepers they could target.
Follow Sportskeeda for all the latest IPL 2019 Auction news, updates, probable playing XI, fantasy tips and stats.
Kolkata Knight Riders
Major players released: Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Johnson, Tom Curran, Vinay Kumar
Amount left in purse: 15.20cr
Slots available: 7 Indian, 5 Overseas
Having decided to release all their overseas pacers, Kolkata Knight Riders will be desperate to buy quality international pacers to guide and mentor the young and impressive Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti. With Kuldeep Yadav and Piyush Chawla in the squad, an overseas spinner might not be required, so they would definitely have to buy at least 2 foreign pacers.
Their first XI is a title-winning side, but since Andre Russell and Chris Lynn are injury prone, it would be best if they buy good backups for both these two star men.
Players to target:
Experienced foreign pacers are a must and there are few better options than Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Lasith Malinga.
Chris Woakes or Sam Curran can act as replacements for Andre Russell while Martin Guptill or Alex Hales could compete for a spot with Chris Lynn.
Follow Sportskeeda for all the latest IPL 2019 Auction news, updates, probable playing XI, fantasy tips and stats.
Rajasthan Royals
Major players released: D'Arcy Short, Henrich Klaasen, Jaydev Unadkat
Amount left in purse: 20.95cr
Slots available: 6 Indian, 3 Overseas
Rajasthan Royals went into the previous auction aggressively and bought the likes of Ben Stokes, Jaydev Unadkat, Jofra Archer and D'Arcy Short for massive sums. Unadkat and Short have been released after disappointing campaigns, but Royals will have Steve Smith back in the squad this year. Rajasthan Royals also need an Indian pacer with Dhawal Kulkarni the only pacer in the squad.
They might also look to get in a finisher as most of their batsmen, apart from Ben Stokes are predominantly top-order batsmen, who take their time to settle in.
It would also be wise to buy back-ups for Steve Smith and Jos Buttler.
Players to target:
Having let go of Jaydev Unadkat, Rajasthan might target either Ishant Sharma, Mohit Sharma or Mohammed Shami.
Shimron Hetmyer, Nicolas Pooran might be good finishers for a one-dimensional batting line-up.
Follow Sportskeeda for all the latest IPL 2019 Auction news, updates, probable playing XI, fantasy tips and stats.
Mumbai Indians
Major players released: Pat Cummins, JP Duminy, Mustafizur Rahman
Major trade-in: Quinton de Kock from RCB
Amount left in purse: 11.15cr
Slots available: 6 Indian, 1 Foreigner
Mumbai Indians have a settled batting line-up. However, they lack experience in the spin department with only Rahul Chahar to support last year's sensation Mayank Markande.
They also don't have a single Indian pacer apart from Jasprit Bumrah, and they made up for this by playing foreign pacers. But this is one area, Mumbai Indians can address in this auction, especially since Bumrah will be coming off a long international season and will also have the World Cup to follow.
Players to target:
Axar Patel would be an experienced spin-bowling all-rounder that they can target. However, since his style is very similar to Krunal Pandya, he might not be the best option. Parvez Rasool might be a better option.
Mumbai Indians might look to partner Jasprit Bumrah with his test partner Ishant Sharma or Mohammed Shami or they could look to get Barinder Sran or Varun Aaron.
Follow Sportskeeda for all the latest IPL 2019 Auction news, updates, probable playing XI, fantasy tips and stats.
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Major players released: Brendon McCullum, Corey Anderson, Quinton de Kock, Chris Woakes, Mandeep Singh, Sarfaraz Khan
Amount left in purse: 18.15cr
Major trade in: Marcus Stoinis
Slots available: 8 Indian, 2 Overseas
Having released both McCullum and de Kock, RCB will be looking to get in an opener to partner Virat Kohli at the top. Their spin department is well stocked with Yuzvendra Chahal, Washington Sundar and Pawan Negi, with Moeen Ali available as an overseas option. They might look for an established overseas pacer, as their bowlers came under fire last year for their poor bowling at the death which gave slipper Kohli countless headaches.
One major concern will be that the batting looks extremely dependent on Kohli and AB de Villiers, and hence they will want to buy good Indian batsmen to support them, having let Mandeep Singh and Sarfaraz Khan go.
Players to target:
Lasith Malinga, Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn are overseas pace bowling options due to their experience and quality with both new ball and at the death.
Mohammed Shami and Jaydev Unadkat are good Indian pace bowling options.
Would RCB want to give Yuvraj another chance in the middle order? Manoj Tiwary could also be a good option in the middle order with his experience.
Follow Sportskeeda for all the latest IPL 2019 Auction news, updates, probable playing XI, fantasy tips and stats.
Kings XI Punjab
Major players released: Aaron Finch, Yuvraj Singh, Marcus Stoinis (traded to Royal Challengers Bangalore), Axar Patel, Mohit Sharma, Barinder Sran
Amount left in purse: 36.20cr
Major trade in: Mandeep Singh
Slots available: 11 Indian, 4 Overseas
Kings XI Punjab was the most attacking team in the auctions last year, but they couldn't get many of their desired signings. That was visible in the performances of numerous players in the squad and that's why most of the non-performing players have been released. KXIP have the biggest purse available for the auction and also have the most number of vacancies and holes in the squad to fill up.
They've only retained 9 players in the squad, who will all be in and around the line-up. They will be looking for at least 1 wicketkeeper, 3 Pacers, few middle-order batsmen and also a backup opener in case Chris Gayle fails. Their spin department is well stocked with Mujeeb and Ashwin in the line-up.
Players to target:
Wriddhiman Saha is a good candidate to have as a wicketkeeper, as he will bring experience and he also wouldn't fill up an overseas spot.
Lasith Malinga, Sam Curran, Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn are overseas pace bowling options.
Punjab could also get back Shaun Marsh, who has always performed well in their colours, or they could look at Alex Hales or Jonny Bairstow to bat at the top of the order.
Mohammed Shami or Varun Aaron could also be good new ball options in Mohali.
Follow Sportskeeda for all the latest IPL 2019 Auction news, updates, probable playing XI, fantasy tips and stats.
Delhi Capitals
Major players released: Gautam Gambhir, Jason Roy, Mohammed Shami, Glenn Maxwell, Daniel Christian, Naman Ojha, Liam Plunkett
Amount left in purse: 25.50cr
Major trade in: Shikhar Dhawan
Slots available: 7 Indian, 3 Overseas
Delhi, who finished bottom of the table last season have already begun their business. They have renamed the team as Delhi Capitals and have brought in local hero Shikhar Dhawan in a trade deal with Sunrisers Hyderabad. Delhi have an attractive young top-heavy batting line-up. But having released both Maxwell and Dan Christian, they will have to bolster the lower middle-order with both Indian and foreign players.
Knowing that it might not be possible to play all of Chris Morris, Kagiso Rabada and Trent Boult in the same XI, Delhi will definitely have to buy Indian pacers as their current crop of Avesh Khan and Harshal Patel lack experience.
Delhi need to fill their vacant slots with real quality to ensure that they can build a squad that can get them out of the rut they are currently in.
Players to target:
Angelo Mathews or Yuvraj Singh can provide invaluable experience in the lower middle-order.
Local boy Ishant Sharma could be given another go, on the back of his impressive showings for the Indian test team.
They could also buy Axar Patel as an alternative to Amit Mishra and Jayant Yadav.
Follow Sportskeeda for all the latest IPL 2019 Auction news, updates, probable playing XI, fantasy tips and stats.
Looking for fast live cricket scores? Download CricRocket and get fast score updates, top-notch commentary in-depth match stats & much more! 🚀☄️
