Major stakes at a mini-IPL Auction

A mini-auction is typically meant to fine-tune a strategy crafted around the mega auction. However, for at least two franchises in Abu Dhabi, the stakes are anything but small.

Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings may well be strategising for the next two seasons rather than merely fine-tuning. KKR heads into the auction with a purse of INR 64.30 crore, larger than what they carried to last year's mega auction. Chennai Super Kings enter with INR 43.40 crore, not far removed from their mega auction budget.

It is now evident that Knight Riders and Super Kings will dictate the initial proceedings. KKR released players to shape the auction's course. The top buys are thus likely to go to one or both of these teams.

Cameron Green will be the most sought-after player. The Australian all-rounder will be hotly pursued by both KKR and CSK. With greater financial muscle, KKR has an advantage, but whether they have the appetite for a record bid, as they did for Mitchell Starc, remains a question.

Among capped Indians, Ravi Bishnoi is considered a prime target. His name appears after the first four rounds, and many teams may reserve funds for him. However, Prithvi Shaw and Sarfaraz Khan, placed in the first lot, may not see expected bidding levels as franchises often reserve funds for marquee players.

Apart from Green, Venkatesh Iyer and Liam Livingstone are major attractions despite underperforming last season. Iyer scored 142 runs in 11 games, while Livingstone managed 112 in 10. Yet, their IPL records keep them in demand.

A key feature of mini-auctions is the demand-supply dynamic, often leading to higher bids for uncapped players due to limited available talent. Players in Lots 8, 9, and 10 will be of particular significance.

The total auction purse is INR 237.55 crore, with up to 77 players to be bought. The top three purchases could account for around INR 60 crore, while 30-40 players might be sold in the INR 30 lakh to 1 crore range. The remaining balance could be spent on uncapped Indians in Lots 8-10, who might attract bids of INR 5-6 crore.

There is curiosity around Wahidullah Zadran, an 18-year-old uncapped off-spinner from Afghanistan, touted as a mystery spinner.

Cap on foreign player fees in mini-auction

A salary cap exists for foreign players in the mini-auction. The maximum fee is capped at INR 18 crore, even if the bid exceeds that amount. The difference goes to the BCCI for players' welfare. This rule was formulated to restrict hefty bids for overseas players in mini-auctions.