The Australian cricket players continue to dominate discussions in India even after their recent World Cup victory, thanks to the IPL auction for the 2024 season. Pat Cummins, the Australian captain, did not only become the highest-paid player in the history of this IPL season but also the entire history of Indian Premier League auctions. To add to the surprise, one hour later, his teammate Mitchell Starc broke this record to become the most expensive player in IPL history. After Australia's distressing ODI World Cup final victory over India in Ahmedabad, IPL franchises showed no hesitation in going all-out to secure these exceptional players.
Held in Dubai, this IPL auction witnessed intense bidding on Australian captain and all-rounder Pat Cummins for the first time in its history. SRH stirred excitement by splurging a substantial Rs 20.50 crore to secure the talented Cummins, temporarily making him the most expensive player in the history of the IPL. His exceptional leadership skills were highly sought after. However, this record was swiftly shattered when KKR entered the fray with GT and acquired Australian left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc for a stunning Rs 24.75 crore, breaking the record set by Pat Cummins just an hour earlier.
The auction arena was filled with anticipation as KKR and GT engaged in what can be described as the tensest 10 minutes of the auction, pulling the race at the 9.6 crore mark. Following numerous calls with directors and discussions going back and forth, it was revealed that KKR was prepared to go the extra mile when GT eventually withdrew from the bidding.
KKR underscores the team's determination to build a formidable squad, emphasizing the addition of Starc's pace and ball-swinging ability, which could bring a whole new dimension to their bowling lineup. Meanwhile, Sunrisers Hyderabad secures the World Cup hero Travis Head.
Surpassing Sam Curran's record of Rs 18 Crore from the previous year, Cummins became the first player to breach the Rs 20 crore mark. The auction reached another level when Starc beat Cummins as the most expensive player in history. Making history, the Australian pace-bowling duo has lived up to the hype, as it is a rare occurrence in IPL history for the two most expensive buys to emerge from the same country.
This year marked a milestone not only for these Australian players but also for the IPL auction, which occurred in Dubai and, notably outside India, for the first time highlighting the global appeal of the event.
