cricket

Updated: Dec 20, 2017 11:12 IST

The dates of the Indian Premier League 2018 auction have been finalised. The two-day affair, that will attract the attention of the world’s cricket fraternity, will be held in Bangalore on January 27 and 28.

Hindustan Times were the first to report on Saturday that the IPL auction dates will be advanced this time. Usually, it happens in February. PTI, quoting well-placed Board of Control for Cricket in India sources, said on Tuesday that the dates have indeed been advanced.

The IPL Governing Council has hiked the salary budget of the franchises from Rs 66 crore to Rs 80 crore for the auction. “The minimum spend will be 75 per cent of the salary cap for each season,” the BCCI stated.

As per reports, the eight teams (no word on the future of Rising Pune Supergiant and Gujarat Lions) have been asked to send in their list of players they wish to retain by January 4. The final pool of players for the auction is likely to be available around January 8.

Mumbai Indians are the defending IPL champions. MI defeated Rising Pune Supergiant at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad on May 21, 2017 in a pulsating final. ( BCCI )

The player rules for the Right to Match are maximum number of three Capped Indian players, maximum number of two overseas players, maximum number of two uncapped Indian players.

It remains to be seen if Chennai Super Kings, back after serving a two-year ban due to corruption, win back their inspirational skipper MS Dhoni. Rajasthan Royals will also be back in fray after sitting out for two seasons.

MS Dhoni has been associated with Chennai Super Kings since the beginning of the Indian Premier League. From 2008 till 2015, he led them to two IPL titles in 2010 and 2011 and entered the final of the tournament four times in 2008, 2012, 2013 and 2015.

It will mark the beginning of the new five-year phase in the IPL, with the 11th edition starting with new broadcasters, STAR Sports.