According to media sources on Saturday, England’s Ben Stokes, Australia’s Mitchell Starc, and seasoned West Indies big-hitter Chris Gayle are among the stars who will be absent from the Indian Premier League’s upcoming auction.
More than 1,200 cricketers from India and 18 other nations have registered for the 15th edition of the world’s most lucrative cricket tournament, which will take place in Bangalore on February 12 and 13.
The English trio of Jofra Archer, Chris Woakes, and Sam Curran are also noteworthy absentees from the big list of players in the bidding pool for the IPL, which is likely to begin in April depending on the Covid situation in India, according to sources.
Both Stokes and Woakes were part of England’s disappointing Ashes visit to Australia. Captain Joe Root, who has never played in the IPL, will also be absent from the auction, according to reports, however fast bowler Mark Wood, as well as Australian players David Warner and Pat Cummins, are on the list.
After the addition of two new franchises, Ahmedabad and Lucknow, ten clubs will bid and compete in this year’s IPL.
