Vikash Sharma

Bhubaneswar: Millions of fans across the globe are eagerly waiting for the much-awaited auction of players for the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) which will take place in Chennai today.

Around 298 players have been shortlisted by the eight franchises. However, there are only 61 slots available to be filled. This has sparked an adrenaline rush among the fans who are keeping a close watch on the IPL 2021 auction developments.

Ahead of the crucial IPL players’ auction, all eyes will be on the MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings.

K Vishwanathan, CEO of the franchise, shared some insights about the team’s plan which extensively rely on the Mahi and the coach.

In a video posted on the official CSK Twitter handle, K Vishwanathan said, “We look at every auction to get certain good players to get in. Inside CSK, we fully rely on the captain and the coach. We are there to lift the paddle and get what they want. But the entire decision is taken by the team management.”

According to the CEO, “We have also have talent scouts and analysts who tell us the performance of the players.”

There are 10 players in the highest bracket of Rs.2 crore.

Rs 2 crore is the highest reserve price and two Indian players - Harbhajan Singh and Kedar Jadhav -- and eight overseas players -- Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Shakib Al Hasan, Moeen Ali, Sam Billings, Liam Plunkett, Jason Roy & Mark Wood have chosen to be slotted in the highest bracket.

Official sources said, there are 12 players in the auction list with a base price of Rs 1.5 crore, though no Indians in it, while in the 11-player Rs.1 crore category, only Hanuma Vihari and Umesh Yadav are the Indians.

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