As many as 799 cricketers have submitted their names for the 2017 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction.
Ultimately, the list will be cut significantly after the eight franchises submit their preferences by the end of this weekend.
The players in the top bracket – at a base price of ₹2 crore [Dh1.09m] – include India’s Ishant Sharma, Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews, England’s Ben Stokes, Eoin Morgan and Chris Woakes, and Australia’s Mitchell Johnson and Pat Cummins.
Stokes is expected by many to fetch a fortune at the auction as world-class all-rounders of his caliber are rare. While Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore are rumoured to be interested in him, don’t be surprised if Kolkata Knight Riders are ready to go the extra mile to land Stokes’ services after the suspension of Andre Russell to a doping-related violation.
There is likely to be some interest for Morgan and Johnson as well, going by their recent form in England’s tour to India and the Big Bash League (BBL) respectively.
Jonny Bairstow, Trent Boult, Brad Haddin, Nathan Lyon, Kyle Abbott and Jason Holder have listed themselves at a base price of ₹1.5 crore [Dh810,000].
Other England players at the auction include Alex Hales and Jason Roy with a base price of ₹1 crore [Dh550,000], and Chris Jordan and Tymal Mills at a base price of ₹50 lakh [Dh270,000].
Indian all-rounder Pawan Negi, who was bought by the Delhi Daredevils for ₹8.5 crore [Dh4.63m] last year, has listed himself at a base price of ₹30 lakh [Dh160,000].
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— Meridian Sports Show (@TheMeridianSS) February 2, 2017
England's Ben Stokes could earn "millions" when he enters the Indian Premier League auction, says India batsman Yuvraj Singh.
