Thu Oct 31 05:18:37 UTC 2024: ## IPL Auction: Big Changes on the Horizon as Teams Finalize Squads

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is gearing up for its next season, with teams set to submit their player retention lists by Thursday evening. Each team has a maximum of six players they can retain from their 2023 squad, with a total of 120 crores available for spending on players. The retained players will have set values, with the remaining amount to be used during the auction.

The upcoming auction is expected to be a hot one, particularly with the potential departure of KL Rahul from the Lucknow Super Giants. After captaining the team for three seasons, Rahul’s future with the franchise remains uncertain. His captaincy experience and batting prowess make him a highly sought-after player, and the Royal Challengers Bangalore, Gujarat Titans, Rajasthan Royals, and Chennai Super Kings are all rumored to be interested in signing him.

Adding to the excitement, Virat Kohli is set to return as captain of the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Kohli, who led the team from 2013 to 2021, is reportedly in talks to take over the captaincy once again, replacing Faf du Plessis. The team has been without a clear captaincy choice following Kohli’s departure, and his return could boost their chances of winning the title.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Capitals may be seeing a change in leadership as well. Captain Rishabh Pant is expected to step down after an injury-ridden year, with Axar Patel being considered as a potential replacement. Alternatively, the team might opt to acquire a new captain during the auction.

In a notable move, Shubman Gill has reportedly agreed to a reduced salary to stay with the Gujarat Titans. The Titans are expected to retain Rashid Khan, Gill, Sai Sudarshan, and Rahul Tewatia, with Rashid and Gill being their top priorities.

With the deadline for retention lists fast approaching, the IPL is poised for a season of change and excitement. The player auction is sure to be a thrilling affair, with plenty of twists and turns expected as teams look to build their squads for the 2024 season.

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