IPL Auction: Mitchell Starc becomes league's most expensive player

Dubai: Australia's pace sensation, Mitchell Starc, made history at the IPL 2024 auction by being acquired by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for an astounding Rs 24.75 crores. This acquisition followed closely on the heels of his skipper, Pat Cummins, breaching the Rs 20 crore mark and becoming the most expensive player ever in IPL history, having been bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).

Pat Cummins Sets New Record with Rs 20 Crore Price Tag
Pat Cummins, leading the way for his team Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), created waves in the auction by fetching a remarkable Rs 20 crore, surpassing the previous record. His acquisition marked a historic moment in the IPL, solidifying his status as the highest-priced player in the tournament's history.

Sam Curran's Reign Ends as Most Expensive Player
Previously holding the title, England's all-around player Sam Curran, had been the most expensive player in the IPL, securing a deal with Punjab Kings (PBKS) for INR 18.50 crores in the previous year's auction, as reported by Olympics.com.

IPL 2024 Auction Overview
At the IPL 2024 auction held in Dubai, 332 players from 13 different countries were up for bidding. Among them, Indian players accounted for 216. After considering player retention, releases, and trades, the 10 participating clubs in the auction had a maximum of 77 spots available, including 30 overseas player quotas.

KKR and RR Opt for Strategic Squad Building
Interestingly, only Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) chose not to exhaust their entire quota of 25 players, opting for 23 and 22 players, respectively. This decision meant that a total of 72 players were selected during the auction process, with all thirty international player slots being filled.

Other Notable High-Value Buys
Apart from Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, who initiated the 20 crore club in the IPL, several other players commanded premiums of 10 crores or more at the IPL 2024 auction. These included New Zealand all-rounder Daryl Mitchell (Rs 14.00 cr to CSK), Indian pacer Harshal Patel (Rs 11.75 cr to PBKS), West Indies pacer Alzarri Joseph (Rs 11.50 cr to RCB), and Australian pacer Spencer Johnson (Rs 10 cr to GT).

(With ANI inputs)