Delhi Capitals' (DC) captain Rishabh Pant is gearing up for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. It will mark Pant's first major appearance since his horrific car accident on New Year’s eve last year, where he suffered multiple injuries after his car hit a divider and caught fire.
As reported by Cricketaddictor, a representative from the team's ownership has confirmed Pant's attendance at the IPL 2024 auction which is set to start from 1 PM in Dubai on December 19, though it's still unclear if he will be actively bidding. The same representative also stated that Pant is expected to be in peak condition for IPL 2024, where he will continue to lead the team. Pant is anticipated to fully recover by the end of February. The IPL is likely to commence in the last week of March.
The 25-year-old explosive batter is poised to be the first reigning captain to take an active role in a live IPL auction. He will be joined by coach Ricky Ponting at the auction table for Delhi Capitals. Pant has been involved in the team’s auction strategy, collaborating closely with Ponting in planning meetings.
The DC franchise suffered a patchy IPL 2023 season, finishing ninth in the points table. Under David Warner's captaincy, who stepped in in absence of Pant, the team managed only five victories out of 14 matches. This upcoming season, the franchise is optimistic about a turnaround, especially with Pant returning to lead and actively participate in the IPL.
In the meantime, Gautam Gambhir, who has recently joined the Kolkata Knight Riders as a mentor, will be present at the auction. He will represent the Kolkata Knight Riders at the bidding table. Prominent figures like Akash Ambani for Mumbai Indians and Ness Wadia of Punjab Kings have also reached Dubai for the auction. Jay Mehta from Knight Riders is in Dubai as well. The majority of the owners from the 10 franchises are expected to attend.
There will be 332 players up for auction, a slight decrease from the initially planned 333, as three players have withdrawn. Rehan Ahmed from England, along with Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam from Bangladesh, have pulled out from the IPL 2024. However, two additional players have been included in the original roster of 333.
Kaushal Tambe from Maharashtra and Sahil Dhiwan of Rajasthan have been included in the auction list, bringing the total number of players to 332. In another development, Nandre Burger, who made his debut for South Africa against India, has been shifted to the capped players' category from the uncapped group. As a result, his base price has been increased to Rs 50 lakhs, up from the initial Rs 20 lakhs.
The IPL auctions are set to be held in Dubai with 332 players available for bidding. Players like Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Travis Head, and Rachin Ravindra, who had notable performances in the World Cup 2023, are likely to draw significant interest from various teams.
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