The first round of the IPL 2024 auction saw some surprising names go unsold, with established Indian batters Karun Nair and Manish Pandey, along with star Australian batsman Steven Smith, failing to attract bids.
Nair’s Unsold Stint: Despite a base price of Rs 50 lakh and past experience with Rajasthan Royals, the 32-year-old remained unclaimed. His 76 IPL matches and 1496 runs couldn’t convince any franchise to take a chance.
Smith’s IPL Absence Continues: Having last played in 2021, Smith’s Rs 2 crore base price proved too steep for potential buyers. His 103 IPL matches and 2485 runs weren’t enough to secure him a spot in any squad.
Pandey’s Discontinued Journey: Similar to Nair, Pandey’s Rs 50 lakh base price didn’t entice any takers. After playing for Delhi Capitals in 2023, his 170 IPL matches and 3808 runs weren’t enough to find him a new home.
Elsewhere in the Auction: Meanwhile, the first round brought joy for others. West Indies power hitter Rovman Powell fetched a hefty sum for Rajasthan Royals, while Australian opener Travis Head replaced Harry Brook at Sunrisers Hyderabad. However, South Africa’s Rilee Rossouw’s Rs 2 crore base price remained unmatched.
Overall, the first round of the IPL 2024 auction offered a mix of surprises and familiar faces. While established players like Nair, Pandey, and Smith went unsold, others like Powell and Head found new homes. The remaining rounds promise further excitement as teams scramble to fill their rosters.
