Steve Smith will not get picked up in auction this year, Mitchell Starc will break all-time auction record: Tom Moody

In an upcoming cricketing event set to unfold on December 19 at Dubai's Coca-Cola arena, the much-anticipated IPL 2024 auction looms large in the cricketing world. Tom Moody, former coach of Sunrisers Hyderabad, famed for their 2016 IPL victory, has stirred excitement with bold predictions.

Amongst them, he made a surprising claim that Australian batting maestro, Steve Smith, might find no takers in this auction. Moody's startling forecast has set tongues wagging as cricket enthusiasts eagerly await the unfolding drama of the IPL auction.

"Steve Smith, I don't think, will get picked up in the auction this year. Secondly, Mitchell Starc will break the all-time auction record which is currently held by Sam Curran for Rs 18.50 crore. I think he will go beyond that," Moody said as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.

The ex-Australian cricketer, previously the head coach of the Sri Lankan men's cricket team, made a forecast suggesting that Shahrukh Khan, the cricketer from Tamil Nadu, might be poised to join the Chennai Super Kings.

"Shahrukh Khan, I think, will be picked up by CSK, and it won't be too far from what he had been released for by Punjab Kings, which was around Rs 9 crore. Gujarat Titans will have the largest purse remaining after the auction. And finally, the World Cup will have significant impact on the players picked. They are likely to have big payday," he added. 

IPL 2024 bidding war to begin with a lot at stake

In the buildup to the IPL 2024 Auction set in Dubai, a robust roster of 333 cricketers is slated for bidding on Tuesday. Amongst these, 214 are homegrown talents, while 119 hail from overseas, including two players representing associate nations. The player pool comprises 116 capped, 215 uncapped, and a pair from associate nations.

Notably, 77 slots are up for grabs, with a cap of 30 for overseas recruits. The auction sees the highest reserve price of INR 2 crore, drawing interest from 23 players, while 13 set their base price at INR 1.5 crore. Gearing up for the bidding war, the Gujarat Titans, last year's runners-up, boast the most substantial purse of Rs 38.15 crore.

In contrast, the Sunrisers Hyderabad, finishing last in 2023, hold Rs 34 crore. Following closely are the Kolkata Knight Riders with Rs 32.7 crore, Chennai Super Kings (Rs 31.4 crore), Punjab Kings (Rs 29.1 crore), Delhi Capitals (Rs 28.95 crore), Royal Challengers Bangalore (Rs 23.25 crore), Mumbai Indians (Rs 17.75 crore), Rajasthan Royals (Rs 14.5 crore), and Lucknow Super Giants (Rs 13.15 crore).

Also check: IPL Auction 2024 Live Updates