Last weekend, all 10 IPL franchises announced their list of retained and released players ahead of the IPL 2024 auction.
The IPL 2024 Auction is scheduled for December 19 in Dubai; this will be the first time that an IPL auction will be held outside India. The IPL 2024 season is expected to be played in April-May next year.
While the big-name Indian players and some expensive overseas stars were retained, a few expensive overseas signings were released by their IPL franchises to make purse for the IPL 2024 auction.
IPL 2024 Auction: 5 most expensive players released ahead
Ben Stokes (CSK) – INR 16.25 crore
England Test captain Ben Stokes had pulled out from the IPL 2024 season himself as he is set to undergo a knee surgery, and to focus on his workload with the T20 World Cup slated right after the IPL next year.
CSK had the option of retaining Stokes, but chose to release the England star. His expensive price tag of INR 16.25 crore would have been the main reason for Stokes being released. Due to injury, he played in only 2 matches in IPL 2023.
Harry Brook – INR 13.25 crore
England three-format young batsman Harry Brook was bought for a whopping INR 13.25 crore by SRH in last auction. But, barring one century against KKR, Brook utterly failed in IPL 2023, with his shortcomings against spinners being exposed. Brook averaged only 21 in IPL 2023 and scored only 90 runs in the other 10 innings apart from his century.
While Brook is still young and has great potential, SRH decided to release him back in the IPL 2024 auction pool.
Harshal Patel, Wanindu Hasaranga (RCB) – INR 10.75 crore
RCB made a big space in their purse by releasing Harshal and Hasaranga, both of whom were bought for INR 10.75 crore each. Both of them had disappointing IPL 2023 seasons – Harshal picked 14 wickets and Hasaranga 9 wickets; they were especially clobbered at the Chinnaswamy stadium.
In an interesting turn of events, RCB traded in Cameron Green from MI for INR 17.5 crore!
Shardul Thakur (KKR) – INR 10.75 crore
The most expensive Indian player to be released back in the IPL 2024 auction pool is Shardul Thakur, who was with KKR for INR 10.75 crore last season. Apart from one half-century against RCB, Thakur had a poor IPL, managing only 7 wickets and leaking more than 10 runs per over.
