The player auction for the 2021 Indian Premier League will be held on 18 February.
The date was confirmed this week, after the IPL governing council met earlier this month.
Whether the tournament will be hosted in India, though, remains in the balance. It was played in the United Arab Emirates last year.
This might happen again, as a preventative measure against the spread of the coronavirus pandemic in India.
Several franchises have released several international stars to free up funds ahead of the auction.
- Australian batsman Steven Smith has left the Rajasthan Royals
- The Kings XI Punjab have parted ways with all-rounder Glenn Maxwell
- South Africans Chris Morris and Dale Steyn have departed the Royal Challengers Bangalore
- Seamers James Pattinson and Nathan Coulter-Nile are no longer with the Mumbai Indians
- England's Tom Banton has been released by the Kolkata Knight Riders
- The Delhi Capitals have removed batsman Jason Roy
Each squad is allowed a maximum of 25 players. The limit for overseas players per XI is four.
| IPL Team | Remaining Spend | Slots Available |
|---|---|---|
| KXIP | 53.2 INR | 9 (5 overseas) |
| RCB | 35.9 INR | 13 (4 overseas) |
| RR | 34.85 INR | 8 (3 overseas) |
| CSK | 22.9 INR | 7 (1 overseas) |
| MI | 15.35 INR | 7 (4 overseas) |
| DC | 12.9 INR | 6 (2 overseas) |
| KKR | 10.75 INR | 8 (1 overseas) |
| SRH | 10.75 INR | 3 (1 overseas) |
IPL Background
Mumbai are the most successful team in the history of the IPL. They are the reigning champions and have five titles.
The Chennai Super Kings have won the IPL three times. Kolkata have two titles. The Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad have won the tournament once each.
Punjab, Bangalore and Delhi have never won the competition. Delhi lost the 2020 final.
The IPL currently comprises eight franchises. This will increase to 10 next year. The Board of Control for Cricket in India's general body ratified the addition of two teams during December 2020's annual general meeting in Ahmedabad.
Changes at Rajasthan
Rajasthan, meanwhile, have replaced Smith with new captain Sanju Samson. They have also hired former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara as director of cricket.
“To oversee the cricket strategy of a franchise in the leading cricket competition in the world, as well as building the development programmes and cricketing infrastructure that will provide the future foundation of the IPL team's on-field success, is an opportunity that really motivated me,” said Sangakkara.
