IPL Auction: Mitchell Starc pips Pat Cummins to become most expensive IPL buy ever, sold to KKR for Rs 24.75 cr

Dubai: Mitchell Starc broke all records by becoming the most expensive player ever in the history of IPL auction after the Aussie pacer was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for a whooping Rs 24.75 crore at the 2024 IPL auction at the Coca-Cola Arena here on Tuesday.

Soon after auctioneer Mallika Sagar announced Starc's name, madness ensued with a gasping reaction from the attendees, unfolding signs of excitement to pour in. Priced at Rs 2 crore, the bidding war for Starc began between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Mumbai Indians (MI), but the latter pulled out paving way for KKR who joined after the bid crossed Rs 12.5 crore.

Thereon, Gujarat Titans (GT) and KKR were relentless, and the reason for the bid reaching Rs 22 crore, creating history for the second time in the day after pipping fellow Australian Pat Cummins who was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for Rs 20.5 crore.

Starc will be making a comeback to the IPL after an eight-year hiatus, and was absent from the tournament due to various reasons including injuries. In 2018, KKR signed him up for Rs 9.40 crore, but made himself unavailable due to an injury.

Nevertheless, any team would like to have him in the side for his exceptional ability to swing the ball at high speeds, combined with his skillful changes of pace.

Starc participated his last IPL was in 2015, playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) after his debut season the previous year. During that season, he took an impressive 20 wickets in 13 games, boasting an average of 14.55 and an economy rate of 6.76.

Moreover, his last appearance in a T20 fixture was over a year ago during the T20 World Cup. In his illustrious career, Starc has snapped up 73 wickets in 58 matches, maintaining an impressive average of 22.91.

Pat Cummins was snapped up by SRH for a whooping Rs 20.5 crore, and with this he broke the record of Sam Curran who was purchased for Rs 18.50 crore in the 2023 auction.

This was the first time that the 20-crore barrier was broken in the IPL auction, and this milestone was celebrated with cheers from all the auction tables as well as people present.

Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians, the two mega franchisees, were in fierce battle Cummins as paddles were raised in fraction of seconds, showing their desperation to have the big fish.

MI pulled out at Rs 4.8 crore, and thereafter RCB jumped in the race. At one stage, RCB looked to be walking away with the bid, but SRH joined as CSK pulled the plug, with the bid looking to go in favour of RCB.

The bid crossed Rs 12 crore mark, and reached Rs 20 crore as expected ahead of the auction, indicating a lot of interest from multiple teams for the successful captain who lifted the 2023 ODI World Cup by beating India in the final.

The Australia pacer previously played for DC and KKR. In the 2020 auction, KKR signed Cummins for a then-record sum of Rs 15.5 crore. He was released, and bought back by KKR two seasons later for nearly Rs 7.25 crore.

Apart from captaining Australia for a World Cup win, Cummins had successfully led his side to the World Test Championship title win in June, followed it up by retaining the Ashes in England.

Cummins also holds the joint second-fastest fifty in IPL against Mumbai Indians in 2022. He had notched up the milestone in 14 balls. In 42 IPL matches, he has picked up 45 wickets at an economy rate of 8.54 and scored 359 runs.

SRH began the auction with Rs 34 crore in the bank but after signing Cummins, Travis Head and Wanindu Hasaranga, it was left with just Rs 5.2 crore.

Cummins joins teammate, and one of the best international batsmen in recent times - Travis Head at SRH. Head was bought for Rs 6.8 crore earlier in the auction.

SRH wanted Head to strengthened their top order. Franchise owners were ready to splurge on Head who had a fantastic time at the ODI World Cup earlier this year, which included a 120-ball 137 in the final against India. He scored 329 runs in six innings in the tournament at 54.83.

"We wanted Travis Head really, we wanted an opener who is left-hander. He can bowl a bit of spin as well. Never thought we would get him for that price, because his performance was tremendous in recent time. We expected a tough fight for him. In the end, we got him. Knew they (CSK) had Devon Conway so we just kept our breath," Muttiah Muralitharan said after snapping up Head.

Head went unsold in last auction where he was listed at a similar base price of Rs 2 crore. He has played for Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2016 and 2017. (UNI)