Focus on Sanju Samson as IPL auction to be held on 15 December.

As that time of the year draws closer, the updates and hara - kiri regarding the IPL auction returns as the event is scheduled for 15 December with the last date of submitting the retentions being 15 November. The venue however, isn’t confirmed, with India being the front runner as this is the mini auction.

Among the players reportedly on the release list are Deepak Hooda, Vijay Shankar, Rahul Tripathi, Sam Curran, and even Devon Conway from Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The five-time champions already have INR 9.75 crore added to their purse as Ravi Ashwin drew curtains on his IPL career a couple of months ago.

Players such as T Natarajan, Mitchell Starc, Akash Deep, Mayank Yadav and David Miller among others, may have to look for new franchises, although there is no confirmation as yet - just as in the case of Venkatesh Iyer, the third most expensive buy at the last auction, picked up by Kolkata Knight Riders for INR 23.75 crore.

The top pick on everyone’s list will be all rounder Cameron Green. The swashbuckling Aussie, who missed the tournament last year will be keen to make a comeback as he had a good couple of years with the Mumbai Indians.  Apart from Green, Sanju Samson, who has hinted that he isn't keen on playing with the Rajasthan Royals is eyed by the Chennai super kings, and if that deal comes through, CSK might well and true get Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s successor and that too a worthy one.