IPL 2023 Auction: Gujarat Titans Set To Retain Matthew Wade: Reports

The defending champion Gujarat Titans are expected to retain Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Wade ahead of the IPL mini-auction in Kochi on December 23.

The IPL 2023 mini-auction is set for December 23 and the deadline for submitting the list of retained and released players is November 15. In addition to the purse remaining from the previous auction and the value of the players they release, all the franchises have been given an additional 5 crore to spend at this auction, making the total purse INR 95 crore.

The newcomers Gujarat Titans made history by winning their first IPL title in the previous season. GT also has a solid core roster, with Hardik Pandya, Rashid Khan, David Miller, and Shubman Gill expected to stay.

At the IPL 2022 mega auction in February of this year, Wade, the star of Australia’s 2021 T20 World Cup semifinal, was signed by the Titans for Rs 2.40 crore. Wade competed in the IPL for the first time since 2011 when he only appeared in three games for the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals). Wade appeared in 10 games and scored 157 runs at a strike rate of 113.77 last season.

Lockie Ferguson and Rahmanullah Gurbaz traded from Gujarat Titans to Kolkata Knight Riders:

Meanwhile, Wade’s Australian teammate and KKR hitter Aaron Finch are debating whether or not to participate in the IPL. Earlier on Sunday, Kolkata Knight Riders acquired defending champion Gujarat Titans’ New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson and Afghanistan wicketkeeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz.

Royal Challengers Bangalore transferred Australia fast bowler Jason Behrendorff to Mumbai Indians on Friday. Meanwhile, Sam Billings has withdrawn from the IPL 2023, where he was set to be a member of the Kolkata Knight Riders squad, citing a desire to concentrate on the longer format with his county club Kent.

Teams will have an additional Rs 5 crore to spend in the upcoming auction, in addition to the purse from the previous auction and the value of the players they release, bringing the total purse tally to Rs 95 crore.

Also Read: IPL 2023: Sam Billings Decides Not To Participate Next Season, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) To Have INR 2 Crores More In IPL 2023 Auction