With the upcoming 17th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) just around the corner, the stage is set for a historic mini-auction on December 19, 2023, in Dubai. This mini-auction, a precursor to the anticipated mega auction in 2025, will see 333 players vying for the remaining 77 slots, making it a crucial event for franchises to bolster their squads.
Noteworthy Features of the IPL 2024 Mini Auction:
Dubai Debut and a Historic First: The mini-auction marks a significant milestone as it’s the first time that the bidding wars will take place overseas, adding a unique dimension to the league. Furthermore, Mallika Sagar, the trailblazing woman auctioneer, will make history by becoming the first female to preside over an IPL auction. 
Trades and Team Strategies: Preceding the mini-auction, unprecedented trades have taken place, reshaping team dynamics. The Gujarat Titans, having traded out Hardik Pandya, hold the largest purse of Rs 38.15 crore, setting the stage for intriguing bidding strategies.
Diverse Player Pool: A total of 333 players, including 214 Indians and 119 overseas players, are up for grabs. Among them, 116 are capped players with international experience, while 215 are uncapped. England dominates the overseas contingent with 25 players, followed by Australia with 21.
Base Price Categories: Players have categorized themselves based on specializations such as batters, pacers, spinners, all-rounders, and wicketkeepers. The highest base price bracket is Rs 2 crore, featuring 23 players, with only three of them being Indian.
Purse and Slots: Each team has a unique purse and varying slots to fill based on their retention and release decisions. The Gujarat Titans lead with Rs 38.15 crore and eight slots, followed by other teams with their respective budgets and slot allocations.
Live Coverage: The IPL 2024 mini-auction will kick off at 1 pm IST at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai on December 19. Star Sports Network will provide live TV coverage, and the auction can be livestreamed on JioCinema.
Potential Top Buys: Players like Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Gerald Coetzee, Rachin Ravindra, and Shardul Thakur are expected to attract significant attention during the auction.
Post-Auction Trading Window: While the initial trading window closed a week before the auction, it will reopen on December 20 and continue until a week before the start of the IPL 2024 season.
Current Team Roasters: A glimpse of the retained players and team compositions for each franchise has been provided, offering insights into the strengths of the squads as they stand.
As the cricketing world eagerly awaits the outcome of the mini-auction, the stage is set for new records, strategic moves, and perhaps the emergence of a few surprises that will shape the landscape of the IPL 2024 season.