The IPL 2024 auction, hosted in Dubai, showcased intense bidding wars for over 300 players, resulting in 72 cricketers securing new team affiliations. Australian stars Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc stood out with staggering deals—Cummins bagging INR 20.50 crore with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), and Starc securing a lucrative contract of INR 24.75 crore with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
Franchises exhibited robust financial prowess by investing heavily in a mix of domestic and international talents, creating a record-breaking auction. Harshal Patel emerged as the highest-earning Indian player, set to join Punjab Kings (PBKS) with an impressive INR 11.75 crore. Uncapped talent Sameer Rizvi made waves with an INR 8.40 crore deal with Chennai Super Kings (CSK), while Shahrukh Khan became a prized addition for Gujarat Titans (GT) at INR 7.40 crore.
Despite the auction excitement, a considerable number of cricketers remained unsold. Nevertheless, these unsold players collectively constitute a formidable XI capable of challenging any team in the tournament.
Unsold Players’ Best XI for IPL 2024
- Talented Openers:
- Phil Salt: Renowned for his aggressive style, Salt, a dynamic opener, has showcased his ability to provide quick starts, amassing 218 runs in 9 IPL games, notably with Delhi Capitals.
- Manan Vohra: A seasoned batter with 56 IPL games, Vohra, known for stylish strokes, brings stability to the top order, accumulating 1083 runs with three fifties.
- Strong Middle-Order:
- Steve Smith: A cricket luminary, Smith’s unorthodox yet effective technique stabilizes the middle order, contributing 2485 runs in 103 IPL games for various franchises.
- Josh Inglis (wk): A proficient wicketkeeper-batter, Inglis adds depth to the lineup, yet to debut in IPL but boasting 387 runs in 15 T20Is.
- Sarfaraz Khan: Known for innovative strokes, Sarfaraz adds flair, playing 50 IPL games, scoring 585 runs for Royal Challengers Bangalore, Punjab Kings, and Delhi Capitals.
- Dynamic All-Rounders:
- Michael Bracewell: A seasoned all-rounder, Bracewell’s elegant stroke play and spin bowling provide flexibility, contributing with 58 runs and 6 wickets in 5 IPL games.
- James Neesham: Renowned for explosive power-hitting and effective seam bowling, Neesham brings dynamism, featuring in 14 IPL games for various teams.
- Odean Smith: The Caribbean all-rounder combines power with batting and bowling, representing Punjab Kings and Gujarat Titans in 6 IPL games.
- Energetic Bowling Attack:
- Josh Hazlewood: Bringing international experience, Hazlewood’s pace and precision, with 35 wickets in 27 IPL games, add potency to the pace attack.
- Tabraiz Shamsi: The South African spin wizard adds variety with deceptive variations, playing 5 IPL games for Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore.
- Adam Milne: With express pace, Milne, having played 10 IPL games, adds a threatening dimension to the bowling lineup for Royal Challengers Bangalore, Mumbai Indians, and Chennai Super Kings.