As bidding opens, players have the opportunity to fetch starting prices of up to $240,000, yet the cream of the crop is expected to command bids far exceeding this figure.

This time around, the 10 IPL franchises have pooled a substantial $31.5 million, earmarked for player acquisitions. The Twenty20 extravaganza, known as cricket’s most affluent tournament, is slated to commence in March.

With the lion’s share of the fees going to the players themselves, AFP identifies five standout stars who could secure significant deals:

Pat Cummins (Australia):
Cummins, absent from this year’s IPL due to a packed schedule, is anticipated to make a triumphant return following his instrumental role in guiding Australia to World Cup victory in India. The 30-year-old fast bowler, renowned for silencing a 100,000-strong crowd in Ahmedabad by dismissing Virat Kohli in the final, earned widespread acclaim for his leadership.

Having set an auction record of $2.17 million in 2019 with the Kolkata Knight Riders, Cummins enters the auction with a top base price of $240,000. Additionally, fellow Australian World Cup winners like Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Starc, Steve Smith, and Sean Abbott are also in the hunt for substantial contracts.

Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand):
An emerging batting all-rounder of Indian descent, Ravindra made an indelible mark at the World Cup, tallying three centuries among his 578 runs at a striking rate of 106, alongside five wickets. The 24-year-old left-handed batter and spinner, whose name pays homage to Indian cricket legends Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar, garnered fervent support from Indian fans during the tournament.

Expected to draw substantial attention from franchises, Ravindra enters the auction with a base price of $60,000.

Harry Brook (England):
Dynamic English batsman Brook, recognized for his impactful performances across formats, boasts a striking rate of 141.54 in T20 cricket. While securing a $1.6 million deal with Sunrisers Hyderabad in the previous auction, he encountered a moderate stint in this year’s IPL despite an early-century breakthrough.

Maintaining his base price at $240,000, the 24-year-old aims to capitalize on recent performances, including a pivotal 43 in a West Indies ODI.

Gerald Coetzee (South Africa):
A standout talent in the World Cup, Coetzee emerged among the top five bowlers, clinching 20 wickets in the competition. The 23-year-old South African paceman made a promising debut earlier this year and has since showcased his skills across formats, adding depth to the Proteas’ fast-bowling reserves.

Keen to elevate his career through the IPL, Coetzee retains a top-bracket base price of $240,000.

Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka):
Recognized for his knack for pivotal wicket-taking moments with his leg spin, Hasaranga has been a linchpin in Sri Lanka’s white-ball setups. Despite inking a $1.43 million contract with Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2022, the all-rounder was released ahead of the upcoming auction.

With 158 limited-overs wickets and an aggressive T20 batting style, the 26-year-old, sidelined due to injury during the World Cup, maintains a base price of $180,000 and anticipates another lucrative IPL deal.

During Australia’s chase, a particular delivery in the 14th over by South African fast bowler Gerald Coetzee became the talk of the match. Coetzee unleashed a deadly bouncer that dismissed Marcus Stoinis, setting off a sensational chain of events. What followed was an electrifying celebration by Coetzee, who bellowed, “Come on!” while delivering an aggressive send-off to the Australian all-rounder.

Watch her video on Twitter here.

Facing intense pressure and a precarious situation, Australia staged an incredible comeback in the game. Initially, they found themselves at a daunting 113/7, teetering on the brink of defeat. With the top order faltering, the situation seemed dire.

However, defying all odds, Marnus Labuschagne and Ashton Agar rose to the occasion. Through their extraordinary resilience and skill, they forged an exceptional partnership that defied expectations. Labuschagne (80 not out) and Agar (48 not out) joined forces to create an unbroken partnership of 112 runs. Their remarkable performance not only stabilized Australia’s innings but also propelled the visitors to a memorable victory.