IPL auction this year could be most muted so far

Teams play safe, retain star players, total purse at Rs 148 cr versus Rs 198 cr last year

The promoters of the Vivo Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises will be back on the bidding floor as they try and get the combinations right for this year’s tournament. The last edition of the first 10-year cycle of the IPL, the 2017 edition has eight teams participating, including Gujarat Lions and Rising Pune Super Giants. Both these teams replaced Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings after the duo was suspended for two years on counts of spot fixing.

Being the last year of the current cycle, the 2017 auction could be the most muted so far. The teams have