IPL 2024 auction, the cricket world witnessed history being made as Australia’s Captain Pat Cummins was secured by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for a staggering Rs 20.50 crore. Cummins, initially listed with a base price of Rs 2 crore, has now etched his name in IPL history as the first player ever to command a jaw-dropping Rs 20 crore.

Big Spends Continue: The High Rollers of IPL 2024 Auction

The auction fervor continued as other players clinched hefty deals, transforming the landscape of the upcoming IPL season. Notable names like Sam Curran (Punjab Kings), Cameron Green (Mumbai Indians), Ben Stokes (Chennai Super Kings), and Chris Morris (Rajasthan Royals) entered the million-rupee club with significant bids ranging from Rs 16.25 crore to Rs 18.50 crore.

Mitchell’s Resurgence and Woakes’ Move: IPL Auction Unveils Surprises

Daryl Mitchell, the New Zealand all-rounder, emerged as a dark horse, fetching a colossal Rs 14 crore bid from Chennai Super Kings (CSK), marking a stark contrast to his unsold status in the previous auction. Meanwhile, England’s Chris Woakes found a new home in Punjab Kings (PBKS) with a deal worth Rs 4.20 crore.

Franchise Showdown: Punjab Kings Snag Harshal Patel for Rs 11.75 Crore

Punjab Kings (PBKS) played their cards right, securing the services of Harshal Patel for an impressive Rs 11.75 crore. The South African sensation, Gerald Coetzee, also made waves by joining Mumbai Indians (MI) with a Rs 5 crore deal, surpassing his Rs 2 crore base price.

CSK’s Strategic Moves: Rachin Ravindra and Shardul Thakur in the Mix

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) orchestrated strategic moves by acquiring Rachin Ravindra for Rs 1.80 crore, surpassing his base price of Rs 50 lakh. Indian all-rounder Shardul Thakur, listed at Rs 2 crore, found himself donning the CSK colors after a successful bid of Rs 3.20 crore.

Global Flair: Omarzai Joins Gujarat Titans and Head’s Heroics Remembered

Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai found a home in Gujarat Titans with a base price deal of Rs 50 lakh. Travis Head, the Australian batsman and World Cup hero, secured a Rs 6.8 crore contract with Sunrisers Hyderabad, building on his stellar performance in the World Cup 2023 final, where he played a pivotal role in Australia’s victory.

Trade Tales: Powell’s Jump and Brook’s Shift

Rovman Powell made headlines with a significant move from Delhi Capitals to Rajasthan Royals, commanding an impressive Rs 7.4 crore, marking a substantial 164 per cent increase from his previous auction price. On the flip side, English batsman Harry Brook witnessed a downgrade, moving from Sunrisers Hyderabad to Delhi Capitals for Rs 4 crore, a 70 per cent reduction from his earlier Rs 13.25 crore tag.

Retained Gems: Phillips and Farooqi Stay Put with Sunrisers Hyderabad

Sunrisers Hyderabad opted to retain the services of Glenn Phillips and Afghanistan’s Fazalhaq Farooqi, solidifying their squad for the upcoming IPL season.

Unsold Stars: Smith, Salt, and Pandey Bow Out

In a surprising turn of events, Australian batter Steve Smith, English wicketkeeper Philip Salt, and Indian batsman Manish Pandey failed to find buyers in the IPL 2024 auction. Despite Smith’s base price of Rs 2 crore and Pandey’s base price of Rs 50 lakh, the bidding tables remained silent.

With the stage set for IPL 2024, the league promises an exhilarating season filled with power-packed performances and unexpected twists. Stay tuned for more updates as the cricketing extravaganza unfolds.