Srinagar: The IPL governing council released a list of 346 players who are all set to go under the hammer in the IPL auction slated to be held on December 18 in Jaipur. Out of the initial pool of 1003 players, the franchises have shortlisted 227 Indian and 119 overseas players. With teams having retained majority of the players, the auction is likely to be a short affair.
Apart from players from four states, the list includes four players from Jammu and Kashmir. Parveez Rasool made headlines by becoming the first player to represent India at the international level. Apart from Rasool, the 17-year prodigy Rasikh Salam has made it to the shortlisted pool of players with a base price of 20 lakhs.
He caught the limelight earlier this year after he was called for trials by the three-time champions of IPL, Mumbai Indians, largely due to his decent performances in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Despite having no experience in age group cricket Salam was picked for the senior team. He made his debut against Rajasthan and shined for his team in the very second match against mighty Tamil Nadu, taking two crucial wickets. He was later praised by the captain, Parvez Rasool, and Irfan Pathan, who is playing as player cum mentor for J&K, currently.
It is a great moment for the youngster who will be expecting to be picked up by one of the teams. With limited slots available it may be difficult for Salam to make the cut. However, if picked he will get an opportunity to share the dressing room with some of the best players of the world. The fact that Rasikh is shortlisted shows the progress that Jammu and Kashmir have recorded over the past few years.
