IPL 2026 Auction: Last-Minute Inclusion of Abhimanyu Easwaran
He may not have received an India cap despite his consistent performances in domestic cricket and for India A, but Abhimanyu Easwaran has received a timely opportunity as his name has been added to the IPL auction list by the BCCI just days before the event in Abu Dhabi. The Bengal captain will enter the auction with a base price of Rs 30 lakh. Meanwhile, Deepak Hooda has been included in a list of players with suspect bowling actions ahead of the auction, raising concerns about his participation in the upcoming season.
Abhimanyu Easwaran’s Last-Minute Inclusion
Abhimanyu Easwaran, the Bengal captain, has been added to the IPL auction list just before the bidding begins. This last-minute decision by the BCCI comes as a surprise, especially considering Easwaran’s consistent performances in domestic cricket and his involvement with India A. Although he has not yet made his IPL debut, his skills as an opener have caught the attention of franchises. Easwaran’s base price is set at Rs 30 lakh, and he is among a select group of players added to the auction register, which initially featured 350 players.
Easwaran is primarily known as a red-ball specialist but has also made a mark in white-ball formats. In his T20 career, he has amassed 1,242 runs at an impressive average of 38.81, including two centuries and six fifties, with a strike rate of 132.97. His recent performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy showcases his potential; he scored 266 runs in seven matches, averaging 44.33 with a strike rate of 152. Notably, he hit a stunning century against Punjab, scoring 130 runs off just 66 balls, and followed it up with a half-century against Services. His inclusion in the auction could provide him with the long-awaited chance to showcase his talent on the IPL stage.
Deepak Hooda’s Bowling Action Concerns
Deepak Hooda, an all-rounder known for his explosive batting, finds himself in a precarious situation as his name appears on a list of players with suspect bowling actions. The BCCI has categorized him as a bowler whose action has been reported but not banned, which raises questions about his ability to bowl in the upcoming IPL season. Hooda has a base price of Rs 75 lakh and has represented India in 10 ODIs and 21 T20Is.
Last season, Hooda played seven matches for the Chennai Super Kings but did not bowl in any of them. However, he has recently bowled in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he delivered four overs against Hyderabad and three overs against Jharkhand, showcasing his bowling capabilities. Despite this, if he faces scrutiny regarding his bowling action again, he risks being banned from bowling in the IPL. The BCCI has communicated the status of Hooda’s bowling action to IPL franchises ahead of the auction, making his situation a focal point for teams considering his potential acquisition.
Other Players with Suspect Actions
In addition to Deepak Hooda, the IPL auction list includes other players with suspect bowling actions. Abid Mushtaq, a left-arm spinner from Jammu & Kashmir, is also listed with a base price of Rs 30 lakh. His inclusion alongside Hooda highlights the ongoing concerns regarding bowling actions in the league. Another player, KL Shrijith from Karnataka, is currently banned from bowling in the IPL due to previous issues with his action. Rishabh Chauhan from Madhya Pradesh is also on the banned list, further emphasizing the scrutiny surrounding bowlers in the league.
As the IPL auction approaches, teams will need to weigh the risks associated with players who have suspect actions. The situation presents a unique challenge for franchises looking to build a competitive squad while navigating the complexities of player eligibility. The decisions made during the auction could significantly impact the teams’ strategies and performance in the upcoming season.
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