The IPL 2024 Auction is to take place in Dubai on December 19. A total of 333 players are up for grabs. All ten franchises will come to the table with their homework done and there will be some intense bidding war for some players. Here are ten faces who are likely to be present at the table during the auction.
Jhanvi Mehta is a crucial member of the KKR think-tank when it comes to auction. Daughter of co-owners of KKR Jay Mehta and Juhi Chawla, Jhanvi comes prepared with the list of players her team wants to buy. This year, she is likely share the KKR table with CEO Venky Mysore and mentor Gautam Gambhir.
Kiran Kumar Gandhi, who is co-owner of Delhi Capitals, is the man who is known for his brilliant tactics at the auction. He is a sort of a veteran at the auction and knows exactly how to go about bidding for players on these big days.
Justin Langer, the former Australia head coach, is the new coach of Lucknow Super Giants. There will be no Gautam Gambhir at the LSG table as he has made his way out to KKR. Expect Langer to take the big calls.
The Zimbabwean great was seen at LSG's table in last auction. But this year, Andy Flower will be making auction strategies and executing them in the bidding room for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
Ashish Nehra, the Gujarat Titans coach, is always animated. You can see Nehra chatting constantly with the team owners and management, passing on insights and words of wisdom which helps the franchise pick the best players.
Since joinining in as head coach before IPL 2022, Kumar Sangakkara has attended two auctions for the Rajasthan Royals franchise and he goes about the bidding in a very quiet, calmer way.
Kasi Viswanathan (second from right) is the CEO of Chennai Super Kings. He is the man with earphones in his ears. He is the man who makes the crucial decisions on the auction day for CSK.
Mumbai Indians (MI) owner always smiles after buying the target players. Nita Ambani never misses the IPL auction day and her presence keeps everyone focussed while she also adds a sense of calmness on the table and helps massively in quick decision making.
Preity Zinta was always present at the IPL auction. The last time she was seen at the auction was in IPL 2022 mega auction. She has laughed out loud when Punjab Kings co-owner bid for Shahrukh Khan and finally got him too. Let's see if Punjab co-owner returns to the table this year.
Sunrisers Hyderabad's owner Kaviya Maran means business at the IPL 2024 aution. She is the one who decides when to start on sale of a player and when to stop, of couse after discussion with head coach and the management. Kaviya is likely to be present in Dubai on auction day.