Who is Mallika Sagar? First female auctioneer in IPL Auction history

In a groundbreaking development for the Indian Premier League (IPL), Mallika Sagar is set to become the first female auctioneer to conduct the event, with the upcoming auction scheduled to take place in Dubai. The gavel master in the recent Women's Premier League auction, Mallika Sagar will be stepping in for Hugh Edmeades, who has been the face of the IPL auction since 2018. Edmeades experienced a health scare during last year's auction in Bengaluru, collapsing due to "postural hypotension".

Sagar, a seasoned auctioneer who has twice conducted the WPL auction, holds a major in art history from Bryn Mawr College, Philadelphia. Her journey in the auctioneering world began in 2001 at Christie's, where she distinguished herself as the auction house's first Indian female auctioneer.

While the previous edition of the WPL auction marked her debut in cricket auctioneering, Mallika is no stranger to sports auctions. In 2021, she made history as the first female auctioneer for the Pro Kabaddi League. Her skills in auctioneering, particularly during the WPL auction, have garnered widespread acclaim.

Hugh Edmeades, who has been the face of the IPL auction since 2018, succeeding Richard Madley, experienced a health scare during last year's auction in Bengaluru, collapsing due to "postural hypotension".

The upcoming 2024 IPL auction is scheduled to commence at 1 pm IST on December 19. It will be broadcast on Star Sports for television viewers and available on the Jio Cinema app for others.

This edition of the IPL auction is notable for several firsts. Not only is it the first time a woman will wield the gavel, but it is also the first instance of the event being hosted outside India.

IPL Auction 2024: When and where to watch, free live stream, timing details