IPL 2024 Action: In a surprising turn of events, the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction for the 2024 season will not see Hugh Edmeades wielding the auctioneer’s gavel. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has opted for a change after five seasons, choosing not to retain the seasoned auctioneer for the upcoming event in Dubai on December 19.
As reported by Sportstar, Mallika Sagar, known for her role as the auctioneer for the Women’s Premier League (WPL), is being considered to take charge of the IPL 204 auction, pending her availability.
This marks a departure from the familiar presence of Hugh Edmeades, who took over from Richard Madley in 2018 and has been a constant figure at the IPL auctions since then.
Hugh Edmeades faced a health scare during the mega-auction in Bengaluru in February last year when he collapsed due to “postural hypotension.” The BCCI called on Charu Sharma to fill in temporarily, but Edmeades returned to a hero’s welcome to conduct the final phase of the auction.
Despite uncertainties about his continuation last year, Hugh Edmeades remained the auctioneer for the 2023 mini-auction in Kochi.
IPL 2024 Auction: Who will replace Hugh Edmeades?
A veteran auctioneer with 38 years of association with Christie’s before going independent in 2016, Hugh Edmeades has conducted over 2,500 auctions globally.
While Hugh Edmeades may not be at the helm this time, there’s speculation that he could still be considered for the mega auction next year.
In the meantime, Mallika Sagar, an auctioneer at Pundole’s in Mumbai, is being eyed as a potential replacement. Her previous experience includes being the auctioneer for the Pro Kabaddi League in 2021, where she made history as the first woman to conduct auctions in the league.
As the IPL gears up for a change in the auctioneer’s chair, cricket enthusiasts await the fresh dynamics that a new face like Mallika Sagar could bring to the IPL 2024 auction in Dubai. The shift signals a new chapter in the IPL’s auction history, marking the end of Edmeades’ five-season stint and opening the door to new possibilities in the vibrant world of cricket auctions.
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