Australian wicketkeeper-batter Matthew Wade is set to be retained by defending champion Gujarat Titans ahead of the IPL mini-auction, which will be held in Kochi on December 23.
In February this year, Wade, the hero of Australia’s 2021 T20 World Cup semifinal, was roped in by the Titans for Rs 2.40 crore.
Wade had last featured in the cash-rich league in 2011 where he had played just three matches for Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals).
In the last season, Wade played 10 matches last season, amassing 157 runs at a strike rate of 113.77.
Meanwhile, Wade’s Australian teammate and KKR batter Aaron Finch is doubtful for the upcoming season. Earlier, on Sunday, the KKR had signed New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson and Afghanistan wicketkeeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz from defending champion Gujarat Titans.
On the other hand, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) had traded Australia fast bowler Jason Behrendorff to Mumbai Indians on last Friday.
Meanwhile, England’s Sam Billings has pulled out of IPL 2023, where he was expected to be a part of the KKR squad. Billings said that he wanted to focus on the longer format with his county side Kent.
In addition to the purse remaining from the previous auction and the value of the players they release, teams will have an additional Rs 5 crore to spend in the upcoming auction, taking the overall purse tally to Rs 95 crore.