SRINAGAR: In an interesting development, a record 10 cricketers from Jammu and Kashmir have made it to the shortlist for the highly anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. The auction for the 2024 edition is taking place in Dubai on December 19.
The IPL franchises have expressed keen interest in these talented players, paving the way for a potential entry into the lucrative T20 competition in 2024. The players who are poised to captivate IPL team owners and fans alike include Mujtaba Yousuf, Rasikh Salam, Parvez Rasool, Qamran Iqbal, Fazil Rashid, Henan Malik, Abid Mushtaq, Nasir Lone, Auqib Nabi, and Vivrant Sharma, reports appearing in media suggest.
Notably, Rasikh Salam and Parvez Rasool bring IPL experience to the table. Salam, at the tender age of 17 years and 353 days, made headlines in 2019 when he became the youngest player to debut for Mumbai Indians. However, a subsequent two-year ban from the BCCI due to a birth certificate discrepancy temporarily halted his promising career. In 2022, Kolkata Knight Riders secured his services, where he played two matches before being released.
Parvez Rasool, a trailblazer from Jammu and Kashmir, holds the distinction of being the first cricketer from the region to grace the IPL stage. His journey began in 2013 with the now-defunct Pune Warriors, and to date, he has featured in 8 IPL games, with his last appearance dating back to 2016.
Mujtaba Yousuf, having previously served as a net bowler for Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore, is on the radar of IPL teams.
Speculations are rife that he might secure an IPL contract with one of these franchises. Besides, Abid Mushtaq, Auqib Nabi, and Nasir Lone have all received trial invitations from various IPL teams, underscoring the growing recognition of talent from the Jammu and Kashmir region.
Currently, only two cricketers from Jammu and Kashmir hold active IPL contracts – Abdul Samad and Umran Malik, both representing Sunrisers Hyderabad. With a total of 590 players shortlisted for the IPL auction, the spotlight is firmly on these 10 talented individuals from Jammu and Kashmir, as they aim to secure their places in one of the most prestigious T20 leagues in the world. Cricket enthusiasts worldwide eagerly await the unfolding drama in Dubai on December 19, as the fate of these budding stars hangs in the balance.
