When Kolkata Knight Riders paid 24.75 crore Indian rupees (£2.3 million) for Australian bowler Mitchell Starc, he became the most expensive signing player in IPL history.
Mitchell Starc Becomes the Most Expensive Player in IPL history
The bid for Mitchell Starc exceeded the previous auction record established by Pat Cummins, who sold for 20.5 cr (£1.9m) on Tuesday.
That fee surpassed the 18.15 crore (£1.85 million) paid for England’s Sam Curran in 2022.
In other news, England bowler Chris Woakes has sold to Punjab Kings, while teammate Harry Brook has sold to Delhi Capitals.
Woakes cost 4.2 Cr INR (£400,000), while Brook cost 4 Cr INR (£380,000), a decrease from the £1.35 million fee paid for him last year.
Chennai Super Kings signed New Zealand all-rounder Daryl Mitchell for 14 crore (£1.3 million), along with Mitchell’s Black Caps teammate Rachin Ravindra.
Ravindra acquired for 1.8 crore (£170,000) following his breakout performance at the 50-over World Cup this autumn.
Australia’s Success in ICC Men’s World Cup 2023
Australia’s title success in India expected to increase demand for its players, and there were gasps in the room when the bidding for skipper and bowler Cummins exceeded 20 crore for the first time in an IPL auction.
Starc, 33, not played in the T20 league in eight years, but signed following intensive bidding that began with Mumbai Indians and Delhi before picked up by Gujarat Titans and KKR.
Cummins, 30, engaged in a bidding war with Royal Challengers Bangalore before eventually signed by Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Travis Head, the player of the match in Australia’s World Cup final victory over India, also acquired by Sunrisers for 6.8 crore (£645,000).
Other Players Auction
West Indies fast Alzarri Joseph cost RCB 11.50 cr (£1.1m), while Rajasthan Royals paid 7.40 cr (£702,000) for all-rounder Rovman Powell, his teammate.
Gerald Coetzee, a bowler from South Africa, and Dilshan Madushanka, a left armer from Sri Lanka, signed by Mumbai for £5 crore (£473,000) and £465,000, respectively.
For 11.75 cr (£1.1m), Punjab acquired India’s Harshal Patel, a fast bowler.
Leg-spinner Adil Rashid and England opener Phil Salt were not sold, but they will still available for purchase later in the auction.
To read our blog on “Australia beat India and lift 6th time ICC World Cup trophy,” click here.
