Srinagar: It will be nervous and anxious time for the highly talented nine J&K Cricketers who are part of the IPL players auction 2024 that is to be held in Dubai Today, December 19.
The stage is set in the desert nation of UAE which has become first Country outside India to host IPL Players Auction.
For the J&K Cricketers and its fans the news is that nine highly talented cricketers have been included in the auction list and amoung them some have high chances of getting a buyer.
But like it is always a case, IPL Auctions throw many surprises, like the one we saw last year when an rather unknown cricketer from Jammu Avinash Singh was brought by RCB for whopping 60 lakh rupees. He never got a chance to play any match and since have also been released. This time he doesnt even make it to auction list, which is strange and marks huge question mark on the talent scouting of RCB.
In total 333 players have been named in the final player auction list. 991 players had registered for the auction, which were trimmed down by franchises. 77 slots are available.
Among the shortlisted players there are nine from J&K. Allrounder Vivrant Sharma is listed at number 49, pacer Rasikh Salam is at number 58, all-rounder Nasir Lone and Abid Mushtaq are listed at 209 and 213, respectively.
The other players include batter Shubham Pundir at number 221, pacers Basit Bashir at 270, Waseem Bashir at 271, Manit Jasrotia at 303 and Mujtaba Yousuf at 312.
Almost everyone amoung the players who are from J&K in the auction list have attended trials with the franchise sides. The likes of Vivrant Sharma, Rasikh Salam, Abid Mushtaq, Waseem Bashir and Manit Jasrotia have got high chances of getting sold in the IPL Auction.
Vivrant Sharma needs no introduction. He played three matches in IPL 2023 for Sunrisers Hyderabad after having got sold for Rs 2.60 Crores. Surprisingly he was used as bowler in first two matches he played and that too rather as part time. In the last match of the season, Vivrant was sent as opener and he smashed 69 run knock @146 strikerate. Despite that he was released by the franchise this season. He may get sold to Rajasthan Royals, Kolkatta Knight Riders or back to Sunrisers at cheaper price.
Second on the high chance list of getting sold is Rasikh Salam, who made brilliant comeback this season for J&K after battling injuries. J&K pacer is highly skilled with both new & old ball. He was brilliant for J&K in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in the match vs Delhi in Vijay Hazare Trophy had figures of 7.3-23-4. Previously Rasikh Salam has played for KKR and Mumbai Indians. Chennai Super Kings may also be interested in the J&K young pacer.
Manit Jasrotia, 20, another J&K pacer is surprise entry in the list and is said to bowl in high 140s kph. It is said that he has attended MI trials as well. There are chances that he may be the surprise pick this time.
Waseem Bashir, the J&K pacer was last season net bowler with Lucknow Super Giants. He couldnt make it to auction list last season but this time he features in the list. He clocked 140kmph+ in one of the franchise’s trials this year.
Abid Mushtaq, the higy talented J&K All-rounder has been knocking doors from last couple of seasons. Currently a frontline all-rounder J&K cricket team was at his usual best in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy as well as Vijay Hazare Trophy. If performance is base of getting into IPL side, it is best time for Abid to get sold during IPL Auction. Rajasthan may go for him as his style of bowling may suit them.
Mujtaba Yousuf, another top left-arm pacer from J&K, has the expertise with the new ball. He was a net bowler with CSK last season and with RCB a year before. CSK might be interested in him at the auction.
Basit Bashir, a 6’3” tall left-arm pacer from J&K, has the ability to swing the ball both ways. Has developed a few variations as well. Mumbai Indians have a keen eye on him.
Nasir Lone, a J&K allrounder capable of winning matches on his own. Attended the NCA best all-rounders camp recently. In IPL pace all-rounders are always in demand and Nasir is one that can fit in any side.
Shubham Pundir, talented is there but performance has been missing. How this batter even found place in IPL Auction list from J&K is surprising as he has not done anything extradinary recently. Then over the years, you never know what comes out of auction. It is the thing with IPL auction that makes it more interesting. So may be Pundir, can go on to get sold.
Overall it is good times for J&K Cricketers as we may find few more crickters joining Abdul Samad, Umran Malik and Yudhvir Singh in the IPL. Samad and Umran are part of SRH while as Yudhvir is with LSG.