The Indian Premier League (IPL) auction for the 2024 season witnessed some jaw-dropping bids for some of the world's best cricketers. The most stunning of them all was the whopping Rs 24.75 crore that Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) shelled out for Australian left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc, making him the most expensive buy in IPL history.
Starc, who has played for Royal Challengers Bangalore and KKR in the past, surpassed his compatriot and captain Pat Cummins, who was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 20.50 crore earlier in the day. Starc, who has 34 wickets in 27 IPL matches, is regarded as one of the most lethal fast bowlers in the world, especially in the death overs.
KKR, who had released Cummins ahead of the auction, were determined to get Starc back in their squad, as they engaged in a fierce bidding war with Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings. Starc, who had opted out of the IPL for the last three seasons, had set his base price at Rs 2 crore, but saw it skyrocket to a record-breaking amount in a matter of minutes.
Starc was not the only Australian to rake in the big bucks, as Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, and D'Arcy Short also attracted hefty bids from various franchises. Among the Indians, Krunal Pandya, Harshal Patel, and Axar Patel were the top picks, while Rashid Khan, Shakib Al Hasan, and Chris Morris were the most sought-after overseas players.
The IPL auction for the 2024 season was held in Mumbai on December 19, 2023, with a total of 292 players going under the hammer. The 2024 edition of the IPL is expected to start in April and end in June, with 10 teams participating in the tournament.
