Five Blackcaps players have been forced to return to next month's Indian Premier league auction, after being released from their respective franchises.
Before next season's player retention deadline on Monday (NZ time), Lockie Ferguson and Tim Southee were let go by Kolkata Knight Riders, Finn Allen and Michael Bracewell from Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Kyle Jamieson by Chennai Super Kings.
The group will now enter the annual 10-team auction on December 19 as free agents and will vie for a chance to be scooped up by another franchise.
Southee and Ferguson scarcely featured last season. After garnering the second-highest auction price in 2021, Allen has struggled to make an impact with Royal Challengers.
Bracewell was one of the best of the NZ contingent last season, but is currently recovering from a ruptured Achilles that is expected to keep him out of action until March.
Blackcaps captain Kane Williamson is one of five NZ player who have been retained, returning to the Gujarat Lions for next season. He suffered a serious knee injury in his Lions debut in last season's opening match and played no further part in their campaign.
Also returning to their teams from last season are Mitchell Santner and Devon Conway (Chennai Super Kings), Trent Boult (Rajasthan Royals), and Glenn Phillips (Sunrisers Hyderabad).
Blackcaps Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell are likely to garner plenty of interest from suitors at the auction, after their outstanding performances at the World Cup in India.
Among other high-profile players who were overlooked for retention are England's Ben Stokes, Harry Brook and Joe Root, and Australian Josh Hazelwood.
The 2024 IPL season is scheduled to start in March.
