Australia's Starc and Cummins land record IPL deals in auction

19.12.2023 - 11:43 channelnewsasia.com

DUBAI : Australia's Mitchell Starc became the most expensive player in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL) after attracting an eye-watering $2.98 million bid from Kolkata Knight Riders in the players' auction on Tuesday.Australia captain Pat Cummins briefly held that honour after Sunrisers Hyderabad agreed to splash $2.46 million for his service before Starc bettered that mark.Barely a month after leading Australia to the 50-overs World Cup title in India, Cummins entered the auction with a base price of 20 million Indian rupees ($240,473).IPL heavyweights Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings were initially interested in him but both dropped out as a two-way bidding war ensued.Royal Challengers Bangalore doggedly pursued Cummins but 2016 champions Hyderabad had the last laugh in the tug-of-war over the fast bowler, who has also evolved as a handy lower-order hitter.England all-rounder Sam Curran's 185 million rupees bid from Punjab Kings at last year's auction was the previous highest mark.Cummins also provides a leadership option at Hyderabad, though head coach Daniel Vettori remain tight-lipped about that prospect."There's a lot of cricket left before the IPL," former New Zealand captain Vettori said."We'll have to get through that and then we'll make a decision closer to that time."Back after an eight-year gap, left-arm quick Starc was in demand as soon as his name was put under the hammer with Mumbai and Delhi vying for his service.Both, however, retreated as bidding intensified and Kolkata trumped Gujarat Titans by offering the winning bid for the 33-year-old."You should expect this.

cricket record Cummins Pat Cummins Mitchell Starc Daniel Vettori Sam Curran Australia New Zealand India

Mitchell Starc, Australia's World Cup-winning pacer, became the most expensive player in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL), after he was bought for Rs 24.75 crore by Kolkata Knight Riders at the Players Auction earlier this month. Starc became the second player to breach the Rs 20 crore mark during the IPL 2024 auction, following SunRisers Hyderabad's Rs 20.5 crore bid for Australia captain and star pacer Pat Cummins. Starc, who went into the auction at a base price of Rs 2 crore, attracted bids from Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Titans, but KKR secured his services eventually.

Ex-Australia Star "Delighted" Over Mitchell Starc's IPL Deal. Says This On Pat Cummins' Price Tag

Former Australia pacer Jason Gillespie has questioned Pat Cummins' massive IPL price tag, saying T20 cricket is not the quick's best format but backed Mitchell Starc's jaw-dropping Rs 24.75 crore deal. Cummins attracted the second highest paycheck in the auction in Dubai on Tuesday after an intense bidding war between Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Chennai Super Kings, and Sunrisers Hyderabad, who shelled out a whopping Rs 20.50 crore for the Australian captain.

"Now It Seems Like Wow...": KKR CEO On Massive Mitchell Starc Bid In IPL 2024 Auction

Mitchell Starc on Tuesday became the costliest player in the IPL history after Kolkata Knight Riders snapped him for a whopping Rs 24.75 crore in the auction and the team's CEO Venky Mysore justified the price tag, saying the Australian speedster "was a preferred player from the skill-set standpoint". Not long after Australia captain Pat Cummins fetched an unprecedented Rs 20.50 crore from Sunrisers Hyderabad, the KKR raised the bar for a record-breaking bid for Starc, who last played in the IPL in 2015. "... obviously he (Strac) was a preferred player from skill set standpoint. Initially, we were not successful in some of the bids. Maybe that worked in our favour, because we did end up having money to do this. So we're just thankful that we were able to have him on our side," Mysore said.

IPL 2024 Auction Over But Teams Can Still Add Players To Squad - Here's How

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 Auction in Dubai on Tuesday saw a total of 72 players being sold for a massive amount of Rs. 230.45 crore. All 10 franchises bolstered their ranks considerably with multiple deals in the auction but they can still add players to their squad. According to the IPL rules, teams can take part in swap deals or all-cash deals for cricketers among themselves during the ongoing trade window. The window opened on December 20 - a day after the auction ended - and will now be operational until a month before the start of the 2024 season.

"Those Two Are Exceptional Players But...": India Great's Take On Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins' IPL Auction Price

IPL 2024 auctions were held in Dubai on Tuesday and grabbed a lot of limelight, as per the expectations. Australia pacer Mitchell Starc became the highlight of the event as he received the heaviest paycheck in the history of the tournament. The 33-year-old Aussie was sold to Kolkata Knight Riders at a heft amount of 24.75 crore. Not only him, but Australia skipper Pat Cummins was also not far behind as he was signed by Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 20.50. Both the Australia stars surpassed Sam Curran's record of being the costliest buy, who was earlier bought by Punjab Kings for Rs 18.25 crore in 2023 auctions.

"Somebody Will Have To Pay...": Gautam Gambhir On Mitchell Starc's Rs 24.75 Crore IPL 2024 Auction Bid

Kolkata Knight Riders mentor Gautam Gambhir has justified his franchise bidding for Mitchell Starc for a record-breaking amount, saying that the Australia quick will be the X-factor and the leader of the bowling pack. KKR shelled out a jaw-dropping Rs 24.75 crore to get the services of Starc in the IPL auction in Dubai on Tuesday. "He (Starc) is an X-factor, there is no doubt about that. Someone who can bowl with the new ball, bowl in the death overs and more importantly, someone who can lead the attack," Gambhir, who was present at the auction, said.