The mini-auction of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season is scheduled to held on December 23 in Kochi. A total of 405 cricketers are set to go under the hammer from the original list of 991 players who registered for the top-tier league.
Of the 405 players in the auction list, 273 players are Indians whereas 132 are overseas players and four are from associate nations. Teams have already begun ideating plans for the forthcoming season and are keeping tabs on the players in order to bolster their squad.
Among the list of players going under the hammer in the forthcoming auction, there are quite a few names who are at the opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of the age. The list contains players both young and old, experienced and non-experienced who will all be glued to the television to see what transpires in the auction and if any franchise secures their services ahead of the new season.
With this, many youngsters will be hoping to have their chances and gain experience by playing alongside the experienced lads in the franchise. Many franchises will undoubtedly keep tabs on these young players who could have a chance to make the cut in the auction.
The league has provided opportunities to many young sensations be it local or overseas since the inception of the competition in 2008. This precisely sums up what is inscribed in the middle of the IPL trophy ‘Yatra Pratibha Avsara Prapnotihi’, which essentially translates to ‘where talent meets opportunity’.
5 Youngest Players in Auction
5. Shaik Rasheed – 18 years 81 days
The Andhra Pradesh-born cricketer garnered some attention when he was named the deputy of the ICC Men’s India U19 World Cup 2022 squad. Rasheed was also part of the squad that went on to relish the ACC U19 Asia Cup 2021.
Furthermore, he played a vital role in the semi-final of the Asian competition as he made a crucial knock of 90* off 108 deliveries against Bangladesh. He also helped the side with his match winning knock of 31* runs in the summit clash to clinch the title.
Though Rasheed wasn't in fine touch in his last few games in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, the young batter has shown potential in getting vital runs for his side on numerous occasions with the U19 squad. Going under the hammer in the forthcoming auction will certainly be a delight for young Rasheed but it will be interesting to see if franchises make a move for the player.
4. Kumar Kushagra – 18 years 52 days
Earlier this year, Kumar Kushagra scripted history as he became the youngest batter in first-class history to hit a 250-plus score at 17 years and 141 days. The wicketkeeper-batter has amassed a massive 439 runs to his name in just seven innings in First Class cricket at an average of 62.71.
Speaking about his performances in his last five outings which were in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, young Kushagra has scores of 74, 55, 49, an unbeaten 41 runs and one in which he did not get the opportunity to take the field.
However, his records in the shortest format have not been at par with what the batter is capable of producing. In his two T20 innings this year, he could only manage to score 21 runs for the Jharkhand side. In any case, IPL could be the platform for the youngster to showcase his talent but it could be tricky for the franchises to get attracted with the prospect of having him in the side.
3. Sakib Hussain – 18 years 1 day
This year, the 18-year-old lad who represented Bihar in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) has put his name up for grabs in the upcoming mini-auction. Sakib played two matches this year in the SMAT and amassed terrific bowling figures of 4/20 in his outing against Gujarat.
The medium pacer is capable of adding variations in speed and length which could help his side achieve the breakthroughs. Having some idea in the T20 format, the bowler could be an interesting addition to any franchise.
At the IPL auction that is set to take place next week on 23rd, Sakib may not earn the big bucks but certainly has that spark which can make the franchises ponder over the idea of acquiring his services.
2. Dinesh Bana – 18 years
The wicketkeeper-batter assisted the India U19 squad in clinching the title and has included his name in the mini-auction. Dinesh was to feature in the mega-auction of IPL 2022 but was unable to fulfil the criteria of having played at least one First-Class or List A game.
In any case, the batter has garnered decent experience of playing in the shortest format as he represented Haryana in the SMAT. His best innings came against Jammu & Kashmir in the same competition when he scored 43 runs which included five fours and a maximum.
The keeper-batter will be hooked on to the auction in order to witness his fate. Regardless of the outcome of the auction, Dinesh is second youngest to feature in the mini-auction this year in the IPL.
1. Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar – 15 years 152 days
At 15 years of age, Allah Mohammad becomes the youngest player to feature in the IPL auction. The young lad has set a base price of INR 20 lakh for franchises to acquire his services ahead of the new season.
Ghazanfar stands 6ft 2 inches tall, hailing from Zurmat district in Paktia province in Afghanistan. The off-spinner had earlier enrolled his name in the Big Bash League but did not find luck with the franchises keeping him in the sidelines.
He has played Afghanistan’s Shpageeza Cricket League and featured in three matches in the event. Ghazanfar racked up five wickets in the matches with his best bowling figures being 4/15 as he represented the Mis Ainak Knights. Putting his name on the list in IPL auction in itself is a major achievement but there is a possibility that the franchises could take him under their wing and groom the youngster into one of the finest talents, like his compatriot, Rashid Khan.
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