IPL 2021 is well and truly ON. teams have started juggling their squads and Budget. Teams have started to discard players to reduce budget or make way for fresh talents they are eying in upcoming auctions. Next auction is going to happen in February in all it’s likelihood.
Kings XI Punjab have announced the unveiling of a new brand identity on the eve of the IPL 2021 players auction.
The Indian Premier League franchise have been renamed as ‘Punjab Kings’ and will be known by that name heading into IPL 2021.
The Preity Zinta co-owned franchise also unveiled a new logo for the team for the upcoming edition of the tournament. “Through the renewed identity, the spirit of Punjab is coming to light, infusing vigor and vibrancy while maintaining the long legacy through the motif, lion,” the franchise said.
IPL auction 2021 | Bidding for the world’s most high-profile T-20 cricket tournament
The IPL mini-auction 2021 is expected to see a lot of action from the eight franchise owners today afternoon (from 3 pm onwards) at Chennai’s ITC Grand Chola Hotel.
The auction will decide on the lucky players among 292 short-listed, which includes 164 Indians. It is likely to witness a transaction close to Rs 200 crore, but all eyes will be on Punjab Kings, which carries the fattest wallet of them all – Rs 53.20 crore.
In the IPL, a team can only have a maximum of 25 players in their squad with a cap of not more than eight overseas players. And no franchise can spend beyond the highest limit of Rs 85 crore.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have the smallest purse at Rs 10.75 crore.
Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) need to fill in 11 slots with a wallet of Rs 35.40 crore.
Anil Kumble’s Punjab Kings have nine places to fill up.
Rajasthan Royals have the second fattest wallet of Rs 37.85 crore and nine slots to fill.
With the withdrawal of Mark Wood, the number of total players going under the hammer is 291
A total of 291 players have been enlisted for the shortened auctions - 164 of them Indian and 124 overseas. There will also be three associate players in the auction.