IPL 2024 Auction in Dubai: In just over a week, the heads of the 10 franchises will engage in a fierce battle to acquire some of the cricketing world's most coveted players at the Indian Premier League (IPL) Player Auction 2024.
IPL 2024 Auction, set for December 19 in Dubai, will feature a shortlist of 590 players, yet the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not officially confirmed the auction's venue. However, Punjab Kings seemingly disclosed the location in a post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Their video discussing the team's remaining budget and seeking fan input hints at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena as the auction venue.
The Coca-Cola Arena, inaugurated in 2019, is a multi-purpose arena boasting a 17,000-seat capacity, making it the Middle East's largest fully air-conditioned indoor arena. Notably, this upcoming auction marks the first to be held outside India. The previous auction, where Sam Curran fetched a record-breaking Rs 18.5 crore to join Punjab Kings, took place in Kochi.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly communicated to Hugh Edmeades, an experienced auctioneer, that his involvement won't be necessary for this edition. It is understood that Mallika Sagar, having served as the auctioneer for the Women’s Premier League (WPL), might be considered for the event in Dubai, pending her availability.
In 2018, Hugh Edmeades succeeded Richard Madley and has been the host of the IPL auction since then. During last year's mega-auction in Bengaluru at the ITC Gardenia hotel, Edmeades experienced a medical episode due to "postural hypotension," leading to his collapse in the ballroom.
Upon this incident, the BCCI officials sought Charu Sharma to step in for Edmeades while medical staff attended to him. Eventually, Edmeades made a return to oversee the final phase of the auction, receiving a warm reception with loud cheers and a standing ovation from franchises and BCCI officials.