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Indian auctioneer Mallika Sagar, who recently served in the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2024 auction, is all set to become the first female auctioneer in Indian Premier League (IPL) history. Sagar will replace British international fine art, classic car, and charity auctioneer, Hugh Edmeades for the IPL 2024 mini-auction on December 19.
During the IPL 2022 auction, Hugh Edmeades unexpectedly collapsed in the event, and the Indian commentator and Director of the Pro Kabaddi League, Charu Sharma replaced him for the players' auction. With Mallika Sagar's appointment as the auctioneer for the IPL 2024 auction, Indian cricket is set to break the traditional male-dominant role of auctioneering in the sport.
The IPL 2024 auction is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, December 19 at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. A recent report by Cricbuzz confirmed that Mallika Sagar will replace Hugh Edmeades as lead auctioneer in the IPL 2024 auction. The BCCI previously enlisted Richard Madley, Charu Sharma, and Hugh Edmeades to conduct the proceedings for the IPL auction.
Apart from that, the trading window for the IPL 2024 will reportedly reopen on the next day of the auction on December 20, and will close in February 2024, a month ahead of the commencement of the 2024 season. The IPL mini-auction will feature a total of 333 players to go under the hammer.
According to an official statement of the IPL, "Out of 333 players, 214 are Indians and 119 are overseas players of which two are from associate nations. The total capped players are 116, uncapped players are 215, and 2 from associate nations. A maximum of 77 slots are now available with up to 30 being slotted for overseas players."
