Five Black Caps find themselves in the auction pool after being released by their respective Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises.
Kolkata Knight Riders dropped Tim Southee and Lockie Ferguson, Chennai Super Kings let go Kyle Jamieson and Royal Challengers Bangalore dumped Finn Allen and Michael Bracewell ahead of the 2024 IPL season during the player retention deadline on Monday.
This group now faces the anticipation of being picked up by a new team at the upcoming 10-team auction scheduled for December 19. Southee, the New Zealand test captain, had a limited role with Kolkata last season, featuring in only two games; while Ferguson, the pace bowler, made just three appearances.
Allen, the opening batsman, did not play for Bangalore in 2023 and missed selection for the Black Caps in the recently concluded ODI World Cup in India. Additionally, a back injury kept seamer Jamieson out of action for Chennai last season.
Despite becoming the second-most expensive buy at the 2021 player auction for the Royal Challengers, Jamieson struggled to make a significant impact in nine out of the team's 15 games. Bracewell, an all-rounder, contributed well in the five games he played for Bangalore last season but has been out of action since rupturing an Achilles tendon in England in June.
New Zealand ODI skipper Kane Williamson is set to make a return to the league after featuring in just one game last season, which was cut short due to a knee injury with the Gujarat Titans.
On the retained side, Devon Conway (Chennai Super Kings), Mitchell Santner (Chennai Super Kings), Trent Boult (Rajasthan Royals), and Glenn Phillips (Sunrisers Hyderabad) will continue with their current contracts.
Rachin Ravindra, the breakout star of the World Cup, is poised to secure his first IPL contract in the upcoming auction. Meanwhile, Daryl Mitchell, who impressed at the tournament in India, reaching the semifinals with New Zealand, is likely to attract interest from several franchises.
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