IPL auction: 357 players go under hammer

A total of 357 cricketers, including 130 from abroad, will go under the hammer in the Indian Premier League (IPL) players' auction to be held here on Monday. The pool comprises 62 batsmen, 117 bowlers, 148 all-rounders and 30 wicketkeepers.

As many as 227 uncapped players are waiting to make their debut this edition inclusive of five players from Afghanistan -- Asghar Stanikzai, Mohammad Nabi, Mohammad Shahzad, Dawlat Zadran and Rashid Khan.

Delhi Daredevils (Rs 23.1 crore balance purse), Kings XI Punjab (Rs 23.35 crore), Kolkata Knight Riders (Rs 19.75 crore), defending champions Sunrisers Hyderabad (Rs 20.9 crore), Royal Challengers Bangalore (Rs 17.8 crore), Rising Pune Supergiants (Rs 17.5 crore), Gujarat Lions (Rs 14.35 crore) and Mumbai Indians (Rs 11.5 crore) are expected to buy smartly to complete their squads.

Seven marquee players -- Ben Stokes, Eoin Morgan, Angelo Mathews, Patrick Cummins, Mitchell Johnson, Ishant Sharma and Chris Woakes -- have the highest reserve price of Rs 2 crore whereas 15 players fall under the reserve price of Rs 1-1.5 crore.

Stokes, Morgan and Woakes were crucial members of the English team which lost the 2016 World Twenty20 final to the West Indies.