Published on December 19th, 2023
Mitchell Starc Breaks Records with Kolkata Knight Riders
The IPL 2024 auction witnessed a historic moment as Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc shattered the record for the most expensive player.
Kolkata Knight Riders secured Starc for a staggering INR 24.75 crore (US$2,982,000 approx.), surpassing the previous record held by Pat Cummins, who was signed by Sunrisers Hyderabad for INR 20.50 crore.
Starc’s Bid Battle
Starc’s bidding war unfolded between Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals before Gujarat Titans and Kolkata Knight Riders, the franchises with over INR 30 crore remaining, took control.
In the end, KKR emerged victorious, marking Starc’s return to the IPL after being signed by KKR in 2018 for INR 9.4 crore.
Cummins’ Orange Army Stint
Prior to Starc’s record-breaking bid, Sunrisers Hyderabad had already spent INR 20.50 crore to acquire Pat Cummins, Australia’s ODI World Cup-winning captain.
Cummins, who skipped the 2023 IPL to focus on international cricket, expressed excitement about joining SRH, stating, “I’ve heard a lot about the Orange Army, and I can’t wait to get started.”
Strategic Spending by Sunrisers
Sunrisers’ head coach, Daniel Vettori, revealed the team’s ability to spend big on Cummins was due to a settled squad and already securing players like Travis Head and Wanindu Hasaranga.
Vettori explained, “Our team is relatively settled, and we have the budget, so we had the ability to spend that much.”
ODI World Cup Performers Cash In
Players who delivered standout performances in the ODI World Cup secured lucrative deals in the IPL auction.
New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Australia’s Travis Head, South Africa’s Gerald Coetzee, and Sri Lanka’s Dilshan Madushanka all earned IPL contracts.
Big Paydays for Mitchell, Head, and Others
CSK signed Daryl Mitchell for INR 14 crore, while Travis Head went to Sunrisers for INR 6.8 crore.
Mumbai Indians secured Coetzee and Madushanka for a combined INR 9.6 crore. These players capitalized on their World Cup success to land significant deals.
Uncapped Indians Shine
Uncapped Indian players also made headlines in the auction, with notable earners including Shubham Dubey, Sameer Rizvi, and Kumar Kushagra.
Dubey went to Royals for INR 5.8 crore, Rizvi earned INR 8.40 crore with CSK, and Kushagra was signed by Capitals for INR 7.20 crore.
Record-Breaking Fees For Uncapped Players
Dubey’s fee surpassed the previous record for an uncapped batter (without IPL experience), held by Shahrukh Khan.
Rizvi’s remarkable INR 8.40 crore deal further highlighted the demand for talented, uncapped Indian players.
Surprise Big Buys
Rajasthan Royals kicked off the auction with a surprise by securing West Indies T20 captain Rovman Powell for INR 7.4 crore.
RCB made headlines by signing West Indies fast bowler Alzarri Joseph for a hefty INR 11.50 crore, addressing their need for an overseas fast bowler.
Powell and Joseph’s Impact
Powell’s previous auction price was INR 2.8 crore, showcasing the significant increase in his value. Joseph, released by Titans, commanded a substantial fee after being pursued by multiple franchises.
The Indian Players’ Market
The auction featured intense bidding for Indian players, with fast bowler Harshal Patel emerging as the most expensive Indian player at INR 11.75 crore.
Notable names like Shardul Thakur, Umesh Yadav, and Shivam Mavi also found buyers in the competitive market.
Steal Deals and Strategic Bidding
Sunrisers secured Wanindu Hasaranga at his base price of INR 1.5 crore, a steal deal for the leg-spinning allrounder.
Capitals strategically signed England batter Harry Brook for INR 4 crore, a sharp contrast to his previous high auction price.
Notable Unsold Players
Despite the bidding frenzy, some notable players went unsold. Steven Smith, Rilee Rossouw, Manish Pandey, and Karun Nair were among the unsold players in the capped category.
The auction revealed varying demand for capped wicketkeepers and spinners, with several remaining unsold.
Unsold Stars
The lack of bids for players like Steven Smith and Rilee Rossouw highlighted the discerning choices made by franchises in a competitive market.
Feature Image Source: espncricinfo.com
