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| IPL-Auction |
The IPL 2024 auction concluded with a bang, witnessing spirited bidding for over 300 players vying for a spot. Eventually, only 72 players secured deals, transforming their fortunes. The Australian speedster Mitchell Starc emerged as the costliest player, snatched up by the Kolkata Knight Riders for a whopping 24.75 crores. Meanwhile, the Sunrisers Hyderabad acquired the services of Pat Cummins for a hefty 20.50 crores.
In a remarkable turn of events, six players received bids exceeding 10 crores, turning them into overnight millionaires. The auction witnessed a staggering total spending of 230.45 crores by the ten franchises, out of the allocated 262.95 crores. This edition shattered all previous records, marking the first instance of a bid surpassing the 20-crore mark.
Australian cricketers found themselves in high demand, with teams prioritizing fast bowlers and all-rounders. Daryl Mitchell, Harshal Patel, and Alzarri Joseph struck gold, securing deals of 14 crores, 11.75 crores, and 11.5 crores, respectively. The rapid-pace sensation, Spencer Johnson, a lesser-known name, fetched a surprising 10 crores from the Gujarat Titans.
The auction also unfolded as a bonanza for players from Uttar Pradesh, with Sami Rizvi, Yash Dayal, and Shivam Mavi attracting substantial bids. Rizvi, an unknown talent from Meerut, went for a remarkable 8.40 crores to the Chennai Super Kings. Yash Dayal, who made headlines for hitting five consecutive sixes in a T20 league, was acquired by the Royal Challengers Bangalore for 5 crores. Shivam Mavi, a familiar face in IPL auctions, became the centre of attraction once again, as the Lucknow Supergiants splurged 6.4 crores to secure his services.
New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra, Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga, India's Shardul Thakur, and England's Harry Brook anticipated a windfall but settled for 1.8 crores, 4 crores, 1.8 crores, and 4 crores, respectively. Despite their base prices being 50 lakhs, the low bids left them with a lesser-than-expected payday.
Harshal Patel emerged as the costliest Indian player, surprising many with his 11.75 crores deal with the Punjab Kings. In another unexpected move, Gujarat Titans acquired Umesh Yadav for 5.8 crores.
In an inspiring tale, Chanchal Bhattacharya-coached Robin Minj, who hails from Jharkhand and learned cricket under MS Dhoni's guidance, secured a deal worth 3.6 crores from the Gujarat Titans. Uncapped players also found themselves in the spotlight, with M. Siddharth, Kumar Kushagra, Sumit Kumar, and Shubham Dube earning their maiden crores in the IPL.
This auction, while being a mini extravaganza, has redefined records and expectations, setting the stage for an exhilarating IPL 2024 season.
