IPL 2024 Auction: CSK, RCB, GT & DC - Which Team Will Bid For Indian Batters Manish Pandey & Karun Nair?

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Out of contention from the national side's plans, Indian batters Manish Pandey and Karun Nair have registered their names for the upcoming IPL 2024 Auction at the base price of Rs 50 Lakhs.

The Karnataka duo, who were once the main stay of the Indian side with Pandey being an immediate pick in white ball format, and Nair being a first choice pick in red ball format. However, the pair have been out of the national team for a longtime now.

While Pandey last featured in an ODI in 2021 and T20I in 2020, Nair's last Test appearance came way back in 2017, a year after he got a triple century. The duo can also be considered as journeymen in IPL as they have represented several franchises over the years.

Manish Pandey and Karun Nair IPL Teams

Pandey, who made his IPL debut in the inaugural edition with Mumbai Indians, has played for six franchises since then, while Nair, who was part of Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2012 and 2013, has also been part of six franchises.

The 34-year-old Pandey announced his arrival in 2009 as a 19-year-old with a century, the first by an Indian player in IPL, for Royal Challengers Bangalore, but had one of his best stints with Kolkata Knight Riders, where he won the title in his first season in 2014.

Pandey, who had a stint with now defunct Pune Warriors side before his move to KKR, also represented Sunrisers Hyderabad, Lucknow Super Giants and most recently Delhi Capitals, who released him on November 26.

Nair, on the other hand, made his breakthrough in 2014, when he moved from RCB to Rajasthan Royals, where he also had another stint in 2022 after he played for Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings. In 2023, he was unused by LSG, who brought him in as replacement for KL Rahul.

Manish Pandey and Karun Nair IPL Record

Middle-order batter Pandey, who still represents Karnataka in the domestic circuit, has scored 3808 runs, including 1 hundred and 22 fifties, in 158 innings at a strike rate of 120.97.

Number three batter Nair, who has moved to Vidarbha from Karnataka this domestic season, has scored 1496 runs including 10 fifties in 68 innings at a strike rate of 127.75.

Now, the two Indian batters, who had good performances in Karnataka's premier T20 tournament - Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 2023, once again find themselves in search of a team at the IPL 2024 auction, which is scheduled to take place in Dubai on December 19.

And the duo are likely to find a team in IPL 2024 as teams will look for capped Indian batters that can be utilized as Impact Substitutes which reduces the need of an all-rounder for many teams. Here is a look at which team may bid for the pair:

Which team is likely to bid for Manish Pandey?

Despite being released by Delhi Capitals prior to the auction, Pandey is likely to find another team for the upcoming season. The dip in his strike rate seems a worry, but some teams may look at an Indian batter option especially with the Impact Sub rule.

The Karnataka number four batter scored 332 runs in 9 innings of the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 title-winning campaign with a strike rate of 166.83, but failed during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20. Here is a look at teams that may bid for Pandey:

CSK: Teams like Chennai Super Kings, who will be on the look out for Ambati Rayudu's replacement may take a punt on the Karnataka batter to replace the retired floater. He also adds the dimension of a great fielder, which is much required in any format of the game.

DC: Although they released him after a poor season, Delhi Capitals may opt to bring him back for a price lower than the Rs 2.40 Crore they bid to land him over a year ago as a good Indian batter option is something DC lack in the middle order.

GT: The 2022 champions may look at two players to replace Hardik Pandya, the batter and bowler, and for the batting option they could look at Pandey, who provides the calm to take the game deep.

Which team will bid for Karun Nair in IPL 2024 Auction?

Although he has not been a regular for much of his IPL career and also missing out in the auction last year, Nair has made case for himself with an incredible showing at the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20, where he ended as the top run-getter with 532 runs, including a century in 12 innings at a strike rate of 162.69.

After a challenge to get into the Karnataka squad, Nair has moved to Vidarbha in the ongoing domestic season to get some games under his belt, scoring 218 runs in 7 innings at a strike rate of 152.44 in SMAT. Here is a look at possible destinations for Nair:

CSK: Similar to Pandey, Chennai Super Kings may look at someone like Nair as a replacement for Rayudu, who was a regular fixture in the side as an impact sub or in the playing 11. However, they would also look at Shahrukh Khan in the role if he fits the budget.

RCB: Despite a stacked middle order, Royal Challengers Bangalore may look to address the lack of Indian batting options. And if there is no bidding war, RCB will definitely look to bring back Nair into their side.

PBKS: Punjab Kings also may look to hand Nair another stint with the franchise as they release Shahrukh Khan. But they will see if they can get back the Tamil Nadu all-rounder for something lower than the Rs 9 crore they spent on him two seasons ago.