IPL Auction 2021 LIVE Updates: 292 players in fray for 61 slots; auction begins shortly

IPL Auction 2021 LIVE Updates | We have less than 30 minutes to go before the auction begins. Aaron Finch, Alex Hales, Umesh Yadav, Harbhajan Singh, Karun Nair, Jason Roy, Steve Smith, Hanuma Vihari and Shakib Al Hasan are some of the prominent names that can be picked-up by the eight IPL franchises today.

IPL Auction 2021 LIVE Updates | Approximate currency conversions for readers outside India

1 United States Dollar ($) = approximately Indian Rupees (Rs) 73 (as of 1.45 pm IST)
> Rs 50 lakh = $68,700
> Rs 1 crore = $137,400
> Rs 10 crore = $1,374,300

IPL Auction 2021 LIVE Updates | IPL’s two most successful team have their task cut out

Mumbai Indians (MI) are the most successful Indian Premier League team, having won the T20 tournament record five times. MI are also entering the 2021 edition as the defending champions. The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have won the title thrice and have qualified for Playoffs in every season they participated in (except 2020).

Both sides have their task cut out. They will be looking to fill gaps in their squads before the mega auction in 2022. With an aging side, Chennai are also looking at laying a foundation for their future squad.

IPL Auction 2021 LIVE Updates | 2021 edition dates awaited

The BCCI has not confirmed the dates and match timings of the 2021 season yet. However, the league is expected to play out around April-May.

While all eight franchises are participating, we are not sure if the matches will be spread across the country due to the pandemic. The venues list is also awaited.

IPL Auction 2021 LIVE Updates | Indian Premier League returns to India

The Indian Premier League (IPL), the professional Twenty20 cricket tournament organised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was launched in 2007. The first season of the annual cricket league happened in 2008. The matches are usually played between March and May, except for 2020 when the tournament was moved to October-November due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The 2009 season happened in South Africa as the dates clashed with the general election in India. About half of the 2014 season was played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to the Lok Sabha polls back home. The 2020 season was also played in the UAE behind closed doors amid the pandemic.

The tournament is set to return to India for the 2021 edition. However, it is unclear if fans would be allowed in stadiums in large numbers.