World Cup champion Aussies were the most sought-after players at the 2024 IPL auction in Dubai on Tuesday with pace bowler Mitchell Starc stealing the spotlight with a record-breaking bid.
Starc’s monumental bid of Rs 24.75 crore by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) surpassed the Rs 20.50 crore offer made for fellow countryman Pat Cummins by the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Starc’s bidding war unfolded in the fourth set of the day, with Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals initially vying for his services.
However, Gujarat Titans and Kolkata Knight Riders swiftly took charge, ultimately securing the prolific fast bowler.
Notably, Starc’s last appearance in an IPL auction was in 2018 when Kolkata Knight Riders had signed the fast-bowler for Rs 9.4 crore.
Unfortunately, he couldn’t play that season due to injury, and he hasn’t participated in the IPL since 2015.
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Expressing his gratitude after the record bid, Starc told an international online broadcaster, “It’s obviously humbling to still, I guess, feel like I’m wanted or needed anyway, I guess. So hopefully that experience that I’ve had for a few years now can translate into success… leading up to the IPL and, hopefully, add some of that to the KKR list.”
Before Starc’s record-breaking moment, Sunrisers Hyderabad secured Pat Cummins for Rs 20.50 crore, outbidding Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Cummins’ price surpassed the previous record set by Punjab Kings for English all-rounder Sam Curran in the 2023 IPL auction.
Excited about joining the Sunrisers Hyderabad, Cummins told the broadcaster, “Great to see another Aussie in Trav Head over there as well. I think we’re going to have a lot of fun this season, and hopefully, plenty of success.”
Other World Cup performers also made a significant impact in the IPL Auction 2024.
New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Australia’s Travis Head, South Africa’s Gerald Coetzee, and Sri Lanka’s Dilshan Madushanka secured lucrative IPL deals based on their outstanding performances in the recent ODI World Cup.
The Sunrisers Hyderabad also acquired the services of Player of the Match in the ODI World Cup semi-final and final, Travis Head, for INR 6.8 crore, while Mitchell bagged by CSK for Rs 14 crore.
