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Pat Cummins. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)
Star Australian captain Pat Cummins scripted history by becoming the most expensive player ever in an IPL auction as he was sold for INR 20.50 Crore during the IPL 2024 mini-auction on Tuesday, December 19 at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. He broke the record of England all-rounder Sam Curran who was sold for INR 18.5 Crore to Punjab Kings during the IPL 2023 mini-auction auction.
Cummins started at a base price of INR 2 Crore with Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad showing interest in the Australian all-rounder. However, after a few bids, CSK and MI backed out of the bidding with RCB and SRH heating up the war with higher bids every second.
Also Check: IPL 2024 Auction Live Updates
RCB who had a remaining purse amount of INR 23.25 Crore finally opted out of bidding clearing the way for SRH to acquire Cummins for a whopping INR 20.50 Crore. The massive salary acts as an icing on the cake for Cummins who’s had a remarkable year in national colours having led Australia to World Test Championship 2023 and ODI World Cup 2023 victories. Under his leadership, Australia also managed to retain the Ashes in England for the second consecutive time with the series being tied 2-2.
Having a massive amount in his pocket would mean that the 30-year-old will be paid INR 6.1 Lakh for every ball he bowls if he plays in every game during IPL 2024. Cummins has previously represented Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL playing a total of 42 matches and picking 45 wickets at an average of 30.16 and an economy of 8.54.
Pat Cummins has also scored the joint second fastest fifty in IPL history
He has also scored 379 runs in his IPL career at a strike rate of INR 152.21 with three half-centuries to his name. The Sydney-born cricketer also holds the record for the joint second fastest fifty in IPL reaching the landmark in just 14 balls against Mumbai Indians during Match 14 of IPL 2022 in Pune.
Meanwhile, the Australian speedster is an excellent addition to SRH who’ve been struggling to find a leader ever since parting ways with David Warner after a disastrous 2021 season.