The Indian Premier League 2021 season is officially on as the IPL auction will get underway in Chennai on Thursday, February 18. The team owners and key stakeholders are in the Southern Indian city as they look to fill the holes in the lead up to the 14th season of the tournament, which is likely to be held in India.

Last month, the eight teams announced the list of players they have retained and released. While it was expected that the franchises will try to keep their core intact, some still managed to spring surprises.

For instance Rajasthan Royals who released superstar Steve Smith while Royal Challengers Bangalore let go of Aaron Finch, Chris Morris, Moeen Ali among others. The list made it clear that some teams aren’t happy with their current composition and despite this one being a mini-auction, will not shy away from re-equipping the squad. 

However, not everyone is looking for wholesale changes which is expected considering the next auction will be a mega affair whenever it is held.  Take for example Sunrisers Hyderabad who can add three players while RCB has as many as 13 vacant positions to fill. 

Mumbai Indians are the defending champions and they are also looking to fill seven spots. For them, a big hole has been left with Lasith Malinga announcing he’s retiring from club cricket and thus bringing end to an era. The MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings had a season to forget in 2020 as they nearly avoided the wooden spoon as for the first time in their history, failed to make it to the playoffs. Like their fierce rivals MI, they can also buy seven players but have a bigger purse.

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