The upcoming IPL 2023 mini-auction is just four days away from getting underway in Kochi on December 23 (Friday) as plenty of players will go under the hammer at the highly-anticipated auction.
Just a day ago, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) released the names of 405 players who will feature in the upcoming auction. The upcoming mega auction is going to be really exciting as we can expect bidding wars for the top players.
On the other hand, England international Chris Woakes won’t be partaking in the IPL 2023 mini-auction. The all-rounder himself came up with an explanation as to why he is not taking part in the IPL 2023 auction.
England all-rounder Chris Woakes opens up on the reason behind skipping IPL 2023 auction
The Englishman added that skipping the upcoming auction wasn’t an easy decision in the first place. He further added that there is still a part of him that is aching to go and participate in the cash-rich IPL.
Woakes also added that IPL is a ‘great tournament’ and conceded that financially it could be rewarding. The T20 World Cup winner also said that he communicated with a lot of people and many franchises too who are interested in him.
However, he had to pull out since he didn’t play the sport in the English summer last year. The all-rounder highlighted that he is looking forward to gearing himself for the upcoming summer for England.
Moreover, it also going to be an important year for England as the all-important Ashes will be played in 2023. Woakes also added that he hasn’t played much red-ball cricket and said that he is going to give it all in Test cricket in order to break into the playing XI for the Ashes series.
Overall, Chris Woakes has played 21 games in the IPL wherein he took 30 wickets to his name, registering his best bowling figures of 3/6.
