IPL 2024 to be held from March 22 to May end, star player withdrawn from auction

The IPL 2024 is anticipated to take place between March 22 and the end of May, with the final schedule awaiting confirmation after the announcement of polling dates for India's general elections by the country's Election Commission. The Lok Sabha elections are slated to be held in India in May next year and it has been learnt that the BCCI will announce the final fixture for IPL 2024 after the polling dates are confirmed.

3 things you need to know

• The IPL 2024 Auction will be held in Dubai on December 19
• This is the first time the auction is being held outside of India
• The bidding event will take place at the Coca-Cola Arena 

Also Read: IPL 2024 Auction: Check date, time, venue, squads, auctioneer name & more 

Star England player withdraws from IPL 2024 Auction

Notably, some top England players, including Harry Brook, Phil Salt, Chris Woakes, and Adil Rashid, have entered the auction. However, 19-year-old legspin all-rounder Rehan Ahmed, who listed his base price as INR 50 lakh, has been withdrawn from the auction on short notice. This decision stems from the ECB's concern about avoiding an extended period away from home for Rehan, who will be in India early next year for a five-match Test series in January-February.

England are slated to host Pakistan for a T20I series between May 22 and May 30. The ECB has assured the IPL that its players will be available for the entire season, contingent on fitness, international duty, and any specified periods of unavailability indicated in players' auction applications. The ECB has also emphasized that if players need specific management in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup 2024, managing director Rob Key will directly liaise with both the player and the franchise.

Meanwhile, it has emerged that Australian bowler Josh Hazlewood will be available only from the first week of May if he is successfully acquired at the auction. This is due to him and his wife, Cherina Murphy Christian, expecting their first child. Hazlewood was released by RCB and is set to enter the auction. He has set his base price at INR 2 crore. 

All other Australian players in the auction are expected to be available for the entire IPL season, as per the report in ESPNcricinfo. Cricket Australia has granted individual players the choice between playing the Sheffield Shield final from March 21 to 25 and participating in the IPL.