The Indian Premier League auction to be held in Bangalore on Saturday is not likely to be a successful one for the players with most of them likely to go unsold.
A total of 144 players are up for auction including some big names from the defunct Kochi Tuskers Kerala.
But with the other nine teams having enough players on the pay role as well as lack of funds with a maximum of just USD 2million each at their disposal, the teams are not likely to go on a shopping spree.
The size of the squad has also been increased from 30 to 33 so that most players from Kochi, who were bought at last year's auction, could be accommodated but more of the teams are said to be happy with their squad and will only look to get some quality players if they come for a bargain.
The BCCI will honour any difference in the amount the Kochi players are sold for on Saturday and the price the franchise bought them for last year.
With only four foreigners still allowed in the playing XI, the Indian players are likely to be in demand with Ravindra Jadeja, Parthiv Patel and R Vinay Kumar the top picks.
S Sreesanth is also in the fray but his temperamental nature means he will only be considered as a last measure for a team that desperately needs to strengthen the pace bowling department.
VVS Laxman, not considered a T20 player and also struggling for form is also unlikely to find a buyer unless the team takes him on board to double up as a mentor.
Kochi openers Mahela Jayawardene and Brendon McCullum are likely to fetch a good price although it is likely they might not cross the million dollar mark.
Several other players from England like James Anderson, Graeme Swann and Ian Bell are also in the fray but since they will be away on England duty for major parts of the IPL season, they might not find a buyer or be bought cheaply.
With Australia and West Indies playing each other till the end of April, several players from the Caribbean are also likely to not find a buyer although someone like Andre Russell will attract a lot of interest as he does not have a contract with the national side.
Among the other with outside chance of getting a contract are Muttiah Muralitharan, Brad Hogg and Stuart MacGill, the Aussie pair who came out of retirement to play in the Big Bash. Hogg has also made his way to the Australian T20 side through his performances in the domestic league.