Preview - Franchises wary of right squad composition at IPL auction

Bengaluru, Jan 26 (Cricketnmore) Eight franchises will battle to find the right squad composition as a big pool of 578 cricketers, including 360 Indians, will go under the hammer in the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction here on Saturday and

The in-form Glenn Maxwell and Shane Watson, who was mulling calling time on his IPL career last year, too have entered the race with Mitchell Johnson, who has retired from international cricket but continues to play in the Big Bash League.

Lasith Malinga, whose form has taken a considerable dip in the last year or so, too will be part of the auction, apart from his Sri Lankan mates Angelo Mathews and Niroshan Dickwella.

Kane Williamson, Colin Munro and Tom Latham from New Zealand will add their charm to the league.

Among the Indians, a fierce bidding war is expected to break out when Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, off-spinners Ashwin and Harbhajan Singh, Rahane, mystery spinner Kuldeep Yadav and openers Lokesh Rahul and Murali Vijay go under the hammer.

India's World Cup winners Gambhir, Harbhajan Singh and Yuvraj Singh have continued to shine despite being out of the India reckoning. They will also attract strong bids.