Indian Premier League (IPL) on December 13 (Tuesday) released the list of 405 players that will go under the hammer in the mini-auction on December 23. From a total of 991 players who had submitted their names for the auction, 369 players were shortlisted by the 10 franchises. Later, the list had 36 additions at the request of the franchises. The full list of 405 players includes 273 Indians and 132 overseas players. Only four players are from associate nations. Out of the list of Indian players, 119 are capped players whereas 282 are uncapped.
The franchises have a maximum of 87 slots to fill in their squads out of which 30 will be overseas picks. A total 19 overseas players have registered with a base price of Rs 2 crore including Ben Stokes, Rilee Rossouw, Kane Williamson and others, who are in line to attract massive bids. Apart from overseas stars, household Indian names like Mayank Agarwal and Ajinkya Rahane among other are also in contention to pocket huge sum of money.
As the 16th edition of the cash-rich tournament approaches, former Australia spinner Brad Hogg has made a stunning verdict claiming that the IPL is adversely impacting Indian cricket.
"I think it is (IPL affecting Indian cricket) because the young players that are coming through the system are more focused on playing T20 IPL cricket because there is probably a little more cash in it, it's a short form, it's quick and you get the game done and dusted. It seems a bit like easier money," Hogg said in a video posted on Instagram.
The cricketer-turned-commentator also noted that young Indian cricketers aren't keen on playing red-ball cricket and are focused more on shorter formats of the game.
"When they are focused on that T20 cricket scenario, they are not focused on the longer forms. They don't know how bowlers set up batters to take wickets and how batters build their innings to bat for long periods of time. It's not so much the generations that are playing international cricket right now like the Virat Kohli's and Rohit Sharma's. It's younger players that are just debuting for India that are most affected," he added.
