Pat Cummins becomes all-time most expensive IPL player, gets Rs 20.5 cr pay cheque

Dubai: Pat Cummins became the all-time most expensive player of IPL auction history after the Australian captain was snapped up by Sunrisers Hyderabad for a whooping Rs 20.5 crore at 2024 IPL Auction being held at the Coca-Cola Arena here on Tuesday.

The Aussie 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 Royal Challengers Bangalore 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 Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders. 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 strengthen 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)