R. Ashwin identifies two players set to surpass the Rs 14 crore mark in the IPL auction.

Ravichandran Ashwin, the Indian cricket team spinner, anticipates that Australian pace bowlers Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc could command prices exceeding INR 14 crores in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 Auction. Ashwin, who plays for the Rajasthan Royals, shared his predictions on social media, particularly highlighting the potential high bids for Cummins and Starc following their success in the Cricket World Cup 2023 held in India.

In addition to Cummins and Starc, Ashwin speculated on the auction values for other players. He expressed the belief that all-rounder Shahrukh Khan, released by the Punjab Kings, could engage in a bidding war fetching a price between INR 10 and 14 crores. Ashwin also provided estimated bidding ranges for players like Rachin Ravindra (INR 4 to 7 crores), Harshal Patel and Gerald Coetzee (INR 7 to 10 crores each), and Rovman Powell (INR 4 to 7 crores).

Surprisingly, Ashwin predicted that World Cup hero Travis Head might not secure a bid exceeding INR 4 crores. Conversely, he anticipated veteran Indian fast bowler Umesh Yadav to attract bids ranging from INR 4 to 7 crores.

In a separate note, Ashwin acknowledged Australian spinner Nathan Lyon for achieving the milestone of 500 Test wickets during a match between Australia and Pakistan in Perth. Lyon joined the elite group of bowlers with this accomplishment. Ashwin, who is nearing this milestone himself with 489 wickets, made his Test debut in the same year as Lyon, 2011. The 36-year-old Lyon currently holds the eighth position in the list of highest Test wicket-takers, while Ashwin occupies the ninth spot. Both spinners share a longstanding history since their debut year, and Ashwin commended Lyon for his outstanding achievement in the world of Test cricket.