Mallika Sagar’s journey into the world of auctioneering began in Mumbai during her teenage years when a book featuring a female auctioneer caught her eye, sparking a chuckle and a dream. Now, three decades later, Sagar is set to rewrite history as the first female auctioneer at the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) 2024 auction in Dubai.
With a successful 23-year career in art auctioneering, Sagar, born into a business family in Maharashtra’s capital, finds herself at the forefront of a groundbreaking moment. Having returned to Mumbai from the United States with a degree in the history of art, she is poised to break the trend that has seen only men lead IPL auctions, such as Richard Madley, Hugh Edmeades, and Charu Sharma.
The IPL auction for the 17th edition is scheduled for December 19 at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, featuring 333 players, including 214 Indian and 119 overseas players, vying for a maximum of 77 slots.
This historic occasion comes after Mallika Sagar’s role as the gavel master in the Women’s Premier League auction, where she displayed her auctioneering prowess. Hugh Edmeades, the previous IPL auctioneer since 2018, will be replaced by Mallika for this edition, according to sources confirmed by Sportstar. Notably, Mallika had already made history as the first female auctioneer in the Pro Kabaddi League’s auction in 2021.
Despite her relatively recent foray into cricket auctions, Mallika Sagar’s skills garnered appreciation in the Women’s Premier League. Her significant presence as the IPL auctioneer further cements her place in sports history, breaking barriers and setting new standards for inclusivity.
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IPL 2024