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DUBAI. — Australia’s Mitchell Starc became the most expensive player in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL) after attracting an eye-watering $2.98 million bid from Kolkata Knight Riders in the players’ auction yesterday.
Australia captain Pat Cummins briefly held that honour after Sunrisers Hyderabad agreed to splash $2.46 million for his service before Starc bettered that mark.
Barely a month after leading Australia to the 50-overs World Cup title in India, Cummins entered the auction with a base price of 20 million Indian rupees ($240,473).
IPL heavyweights Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings were initially interested in him but both dropped out as a two-way bidding war ensued.
Royal Challengers Bangalore doggedly pursued Cummins but 2016 champions Hyderabad had the last laugh in the tug-of-war over the fast bowler, who has also evolved as a handy lower-order hitter.
England all-rounder Sam Curran’s 185 million rupees bid from Punjab Kings at last year’s auction was the previous highest mark.
Cummins also provides a leadership option at Hyderabad, though head coach Daniel Vettori remain tight-lipped about that prospect.
“There’s a lot of cricket left before the IPL,” former New Zealand captain Vettori said.
“We’ll have to get through that and then we’ll make a decision closer to that time.”
Back after an eight-year gap, left-arm quick Starc was in demand as soon as his name was put under the hammer with Mumbai and Delhi vying for his service. — Reuters.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter