In the Indian Premier League auction held today in Dubai, pacer Mitchell Starc of Australia broke the record set by his fellow countryman Pat Cummins to become the most expensive auction purchase in the league’s history. The Kolkata Knight Riders spent an incredible INR 24.75 crores to acquire Starc’s services for the 2024 season.
In less than an hour, Starc smashed Cummins’ record, and Kolkata had to outbid a resolute Gujarat Titans team in order to acquire the left-arm bowler from Australia and add him to the roster.
Sunrisers Hyderabad had to shell out INR 20.50 crores to secure Cummins during the auction, following a fierce bidding battle with Royal Challengers Bangalore.
The previous edition’s record-holder, English all-rounder Sam Curran, who was given INR 18.5 crores by Punjab Kings, was surpassed by Cummins.
“The past! Pat Cummins is a #Riser,” Hyderabad tweeted amid applause and cheers from onlookers at the Dubai auction following a fierce bidding battle that ended in their favor against Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Despite not participating in the IPL the previous year, Starc and Cummin helped Australia win their sixth World Cup in India last month.
Star batter Steve Smith went unsold, but their compatriot Travis Head—who was named player of the final—was signed by Hyderabad for INR 6.8 crores.
Daryl Mitchell, an all-round player from New Zealand, was acquired by Chennai Super Kings for $1.6 million.
Mitchell, 32, was another one of the World Cup’s breakout performers. Against India, he amassed two hundreds during the group stage and semifinal.
For $890,000, West Indies ace Rovman Powell joined the Rajasthan Royals, and Australia’s Travis Head will play for Hyderabad for $818,000.
However, there was little interest in rising New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra, and Chennai paid a meagre $216,000 for his services.
At the auction on Tuesday, around 300 players were up for grabs for the glamorous T20 competition, which is probably going to take place in March of next year.