For the first time IPL Auction went abroad, Dubai, and BCCI and franchises showed cricket’s might. IPL 2024 Auction was a blockbuster for players, BCCI and franchises as well as the international audience with teams shelling out Rs 230.45 Crore for 72 players in total. And out of those 72, more than half returned as crorepatis, fetching over a crore at the auction. But it was a Dubai delight for pacers and Australian stars as they were the hot picks at the 17th edition of the auction.
Six Australians grabbed a total of Rs 68.05 Cr from the auction. But out of those six, only two commanded the auction.
Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, two Australian pacers went for Rs 45.25 Cr combined. While Australia captain Pat Cummins became the first player to breach Rs 20 Cr-mark, the record only lasted for about 30 minutes. His pace partner Mitchell Starc broke Sunrisers Hyderabad’s record. Kolkata Knight Riders broke their bank for the left-arm fast bowler, shelling out Rs 24.75 Cr.
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IPL 2024 Auction Highlights:
Total Players sold: 72
Total money spent: 230.45 Cr
Most expensive player: Mitchell Starc (Rs 24.75 Cr)
Most expensive Indian: Harshal Patel: Rs 11.75 Cr
Crorepatis: 39
Most Expensive country: Australia (68.05 Cr)
Pacers rule the roost
However, Pat Cummins or Mitchell Starc were not the only pacers. Overall, pacers or seam bowling all-rounders commanded IPL 2024 Auction as franchises shelled out Rs 147.80 Cr in total.
Harshal Patel was the most wanted Indian seamer as Punjab Kings paid Rs 11.75 Crore to secure his contract.
There were also uncapped Indian pacers like Yash Dayal and Sushant Mishra for whom franchises shelled out crores. Royal Challengers Bangalore spent Rs 5 Crore for Dayal while Gujarat Titans paid Rs 2.2 Crore for Sushant Mishra.
Performance in regional leagues gets recognition
While regional T20 leagues were not as popular earlier, broadcast of such tournaments have forced franchises take notice.
The likes of Sameer Rizvi who were not on the radar will now be in focus. One of the top performers in UP T20 league, Rizvi was sold for a whopping Rs 8.40 Crore to Chennai Super Kings.
Down south, Tamil Nadu Premier League too had multiple top picks with M Siddharth bagging Rs 2.2 Cr deal from Rs 2.4 Cr deal from Lucknow Super Giants.
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