243 players up for grabs as MPL holds first IPL-style auction

Indore: A total of 243 players from the state will go under the hammer on Tuesday, as the Madhya Pradesh League will conduct its first-ever IPL-style auction in Indore, where franchises will finalise their squads for the upcoming season.The auction, scheduled at the Brilliant Convention Centre from 3 pm, is expected to reshape team combinations and offer a major platform for emerging and established cricketers alike.In a first for the league, franchises will build their squads through a structured bidding process, bringing it in line with the model followed in the Indian Premier League. Renowned commentator Charu Sharma will conduct proceedings as the official auctioneer.The player pool features several notable names, with fast bowler Avesh Khan among the biggest attractions. Also in contention are pacer Kuldeep Sen, aggressive batter Ashutosh Sharma, Aniket Verma, and all-rounder Madhav Tiwari. With none of the top fast bowlers retained, franchises are expected to compete strongly to secure quality pace options.The league has already retained a few marquee players, including the RCB captain Rajat Patidar and Venkatesh Iyer, allowing teams to build around a core while entering the auction with a reduced purse.The focus now shifts to filling key gaps and achieving the right balance across departments. With ten teams in the fray this season, the demand for reliable performers across roles is expected to be high.This year, players below the age of 19 will not be part of the auction, in line with BCCI guidelines that discourage early exposure to T20 formats.