South Africa has the most players registered for the 2019 Indian Premier League player auction, which will take place later this month.

Over 1,000 cricketers have been listed for the 18 December event. Approximately 230 of those are from outside India, with 59 of them South African.

Fast bowler Dale Steyn has arguably the highest profile among the near-60 – and has been registered at a base price of almost R3-million.

Australia, West Indies and Sri Lanka have registered 35, 33 and 28 players respectively.

Afghanistan (27), New Zealand (17), England (14), Bangladesh (10) and Zimbabwe (five) players have expressed interest.

One player each from Hong Kong, Ireland, Netherlands and the United States of America have also applied.

Only 70 spots are available to complete the eight competing squads. Franchises have until 10 December to submit their shortlist of players.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Daredevils have been renamed the Delhi Capitals.

Delhi have participated in all 11 editions of the IPL since its inception in 2008, but have never won a title. They finished last in the 2018 tournament – and also in three previous years.

They have recruited several South African players in the past, including fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, all-rounder Chris Morris, wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock, seamer Junior Dala and others.

Former Proteas batsman Gary Kirsten was Delhi’s head coach in 2014 and 2015.

They have released several stars ahead of next month’s player auction, including Australian duo Dan Christian and Glenn Maxwell, Indian pair Gautam Gambhir and Mohammed Shami, and Englishmen Jason Roy and Liam Plunkett.

Former Sunrisers Hyderabad batsman Shikhar Dhawan has joined Delhi for next year’s competition.

Photo: Gallo