Mitchell Starc at INR 24.75 Cr Surpasses Pat Cummins to Become Costliest Player in History

Mitchell Starc at INR 24.75 Cr Surpasses Pat Cummins to Become Costliest Player in History
Dubai: Ace Australian speedster Mitchell Starc surpassed compatriot Pat Cummins to become the most expensive player in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The left-arm quick, who returned to the auction pool after 8 years, broke the bank with a contract of worth INR 24.75 crore from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the mini players’ auction in Dubai on Thursday.

Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians were the initial bidders, getting involved in an intense competition in the auction arena. While DC skipper Rishabh Pant kept raising the peddle for Starc, he was regularly countered by MI owner Akash Ambani.

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As soon as the figures reached the 9.8 crore mark, the likes of KKR and Gujarat Titans joined the race while the DC and MI backed out as they were left with just Rs 12 crore in their respective purses. Eventually, the bidding war turned more intense when Starc crossed the INR 20 crore price tag and edged past his captain Pat Cummins who bagged an INR 20.40 crore deal from the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Before Star could touch the INR 25 crore pricing, the Titans backed out at 24.75 Cr and let the KKR have the speedster to set the IPL 2024 ablaze.

Starc, 33, has usually prioritised international duty over IPL but decided to enter the auction with one eye on the T20 World Cup that follows the IPL. He has only played only two seasons of the IPL, taking 34 wickets in 27 games at an average of 20.38.

In contrast, Cummins has been a regular at the IPL but skipped the 2023 edition to focus on the Ashes and the ODI World Cup.

Among the fast bowlers, the others who broke the bank were Harshal Patel (Rs 11.75 crore to Punjab Kings), Alzarri Joseph (Rs 11.50 crore to RCB), Umesh Yadav ( Rs 5.80 crore to Gujrat Titans) and Shivam Mavi (Rs 6.40 crore to LSG).