Starc overtakes Cummins as most expensive player in IPL auctions

Australian pacer Mitchell Starc surpassed his compatriot Pat Cummins' record to become the most expensive auction buy in the history of the Indian Premier League after Kolkata Knight Riders splurged a whooping INR 24.75 crores to secure his services for the 2024 edition in the IPL auction taking place today in Dubai.

Starc broke Cummins' record in less than an hour, as Kolkata had to outbid a determined Gujarat Titans to in list the Aussie left-arm pacer as the newest member of KKR. 

Earlier in the auction, Sunrisers Hyderabad had spent INR 20.50 crores to rope in Cummins after an intense bidding war with the Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Cummins had broke the record of English all-rounder Sam Curran, who had received INR 18.5 crores by Punjab Kings in the previous edition.

"History! Pat Cummins is a #Riser," tweeted Hyderabad after an intense bidding war with Royal Challengers Bangalore ended in their favour, to claps and cheers from spectators at the auction in Dubai.

Both Starc and Cummin didn't play in last year's IPL but were instrumental in Australia winning their sixth World Cup title in India last month.

Their compatriot Travis Head, who was the player of the final, was picked up by Hyderabad for INR 6.8 crores while star batter Steve Smith went unsold.

New Zealand all-rounder Daryl Mitchell was, grabbed by Chennai Super Kings for $1.6 million.

Mitchell, 32, was also one of the breakout stars at the World Cup, scoring two centuries against India -- in the group stage and in the semi-final.

West Indies star Rovman Powell went to Rajasthan Royals for $890,000 and Travis Head of Australia will play for Hyderabad for $818,000.

But up-and-coming New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra failed to arouse much interest, with Chennai paying an underwhelming $216,000 for his services.

More than 300 players were up for grabs at Tuesday's auction for the glitzy T20 tournament, likely to be held from March next year.