According to a report on ESPNCricinfo, a mini auction will be held ahead of the 13th edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 in December 2019. This time Kolkata will host the much awaited auction.
On December 19, the auction for IPL 2020 will be held in Kolkata and the current active trading window will close on November 14 according to the report. The franchised were informed earlier about the closing that earlier and each of them was allocated Rs. 85 crore for the 2020 season whereas in last season it was Rs. 82 crore each. The teams will also be allowed to use the money that was not spent during the previous IPL auction.
The North India based franchise Delhi Capitals used the trading window most actively. The Shreyas Iyer-led franchise bought Mayank Markande from Mumbai Indians and released West Indies all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford.
The Capitals are also in talks with Kings XI Punjab in a bid to sign their captain Ravichandran Ashwin. R Ashwin was signed by Kings XI Punjab at the 2018 auction for Rs 7.6 crore and led the franchise in 14 matches. Although he could not provide good results as a skipper, individually he was successful and picked up 15 wickets in the year’s IPL. Delhi mentor Sourav Ganguly also showed interest in signing R Ashwin. The high-profile transfer is a matter of financial negotiations currently. Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals were also keen over signing Rajasthan Royals’ Ajinkya Rahane for IPL 2020.
With a mega auction set for 2021, all eight franchises will look for utilizing this mini auction effectively. As on now funds remaining with the franchises ahead of IPL 2020 Auction:
Chennai Super Kings – Rs 3.2 crore, Delhi Capitals – Rs 7.7 crore, Kings XI Punjab – Rs 3.7 crore, Kolkata Knight Riders – Rs 6.05 crore, Mumbai Indians – Rs 3.55 crore, Rajasthan Royals – Rs 7.15 crore, Royal Challengers Bangalore – Rs 1.80 crore, Sunrisers Hyderabad – Rs 5.30 crore.