2019 IPL auction: Date, time, venue and key players
The Indian Premier League 2019 auction is scheduled to be held on December 18 in Jaipur. Interestingly, the BCCI has changed the timing of the event. According to a report in The Mumbai Mirror, the auction is expected to start at 3:00 PM in the afternoon. It will end by 9:30 PM. Here is all about the upcoming auction of the cash-rich league.
Prime-time viewership the focus for BCCI
The decision to get the auction started at 3:00 PM is to attract prime-time viewership for the event. The fans will be able to watch the IPL auction live on television on December 18. Interestingly, it is also the fifth day of the second Test between India and Australia. If the auction would have started earlier, then the viewership would have been divided.
Bold IPL trade window will spice up the auction
The franchises made some big decisions ahead of the auction. Several franchises released a host of big names in the IPL trade window. Players, who etched some stunning deals last season, were also shipped out. With many players available, this is set to spice up the auction. Most franchises have retained their core team, but would like to get the right balance now.
IPL auction promises aplenty for players
The IPL auction could see several new faces being roped in. Further, some of the international stars could make their IPL debut. All eyes will be on the released players and how their day ends. Focus will also be on Australian and England players. Cricket Australia had confirmed that its players will not be available for all the matches of IPL 12.
What are the rules imposed by Cricket Australia?
With the ICC World Cup 2019 starting a few days post the IPL, CA feels country should come first. Several guidelines have been imposed for players. CA will also not allow the players to feature after May 1. Meanwhile, players, who would feature in the Australian ODI squad against Pakistan, will only be allowed to leave for IPL, after the series gets over.
IPL shifted to earlier date because of elections
The IPL is likely to start on March 29, keeping both the World Cup and the Indian General Elections in mind. Reports had come out that the IPL could be held in South Africa as the dates are colliding with the elections. Besides Australia, even England players chosen for World Cup will miss out in May. Meanwhile, New Zealand players will be available throughout.
How the auction could pan out?
Several released players such as Yuvraj, Finch, Gambhir and Woakes will be in the auction pool. It is being expected that many players could be ignored. It means several new international and domestic T20 players could be acquired, this time around, by the eight franchises.
