Josh Little makes history at IPL auction

Josh Little has become the first player to be bought at the Indian Premier League auction whilst playing for Ireland.

The Dubliner was bought by the Gujarat Titans for a fee of 4.4 crores [approximately €460,000] in Kochi at the 2023 auction.

Last year Little had embarked on a development opportunity with IPL side Chennai Super Kings, but it was a short stint for the left-hand seamer.

In November, Little recorded a memorable hat-trick in their T20 World Cup loss to New Zealand in Adelaide.

Little snared Kane Williamson when the New Zealand captain miscued a pull to deep backward-square leg before pinning both Jimmy Neesham and Mitchell Santner in front off the next two balls.

Eoin Morgan was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore ahead of the 2010 IPL season, but he had switched from Ireland to England by that stage.

Aware of the potential for Little to be successful in today's draft, Cricket Ireland had indicated to both the player and the tournament organiser that a No Objection Certificate (NOC) would be issued that would allow Little to participate in the entire IPL season, however with one brief exception that covers the three World Cup Super League ODIs against Bangladesh in May 2023.

Elsewhere, England all-rounder Sam Curran became the most expensive player in the history of the auction after Punjab Kings paid almost €2million for his services.

Curran's record-breaking deal made him the hottest property during a six-way bidding war in Kerala, with Test captain Ben Stokes and Harry Brook close behind as they both scored deals well in excess of €1million.

Curran's stock has never been higher after he starred in England's T20 World Cup triumph in Australia last month, picking up the player of the tournament and player of the