Check out the top three players who triggered competitive bidding between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI) in the IPL 2024 Auction. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)
The IPL 2024 auction was place for the first time outside of India. On December 19, 2023, Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena hosted the IPL 2024 mini-auction, with 333 players going under the hammer. A total of 77 slots were available, with 30 of them reserved for international players.
Mitchell Starc’s INR 24.75 crore bid and Pat Cummins’ INR 20.50 crore bid shattered records for the most expensive players bought in IPL auction history, while some other players received high bids despite the restriction of only four overseas players in the playing XI.
With limited spots available for players, there was a lot of bidding done by all the franchises and at the forefront of them all were the 5-time champions each, Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians. They got into a bidding war several times during the auction and we take a look at 3 players who saw MI and CSK bidding for them.
Here are three players for whom both CSK and MI got into a bidding war in the IPL 2024 auction:
1. Robin Minz
Robin Minz. (Photo Source: Cricket.com)
Robin Minz, who hails from Gumla, Jharkhand, was an unknown player in the IPL 2024. He was scouted by Mumbai Indians (MI) franchise and went to the UK in July. The scouts were impressed by Miz’s batting and wicket-keeping skills.
Both Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI) started the bid for the young keeper-batter when his name came up for auction. Both the franchises took the bidding to INR 1 cr before CSK had to back out. Finally, Gujarat Titans entered the fray and gave MI a run for their money, before buying the young Minz for INR 3.6 Cr.
2. Gerald Coetzee
Gerald Coetzee SA20. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Gerald Coetzee had impressed one and all with his lion-hearted bowling on Indian pitches in the recent ICC World Cup 2023 for South Africa. He also showed ability to bat lower down the order in an exciting clash against Pakistan. Coetzee had previously shown his talent in the SA20 as well.
When his name came up for bidding, Chennai Super Kings went up first given that Coetzee plays for its sister franchise, the Joburg Super Kings in the SA20. Mumbai Indians competed with CSK in bidding before CSK had to bow out at INR 3 Cr. Finally, Mumbai Indians completed the purchase at INR 5 Cr for Coetzee.
3. Pat Cummins
Pat Cummins. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)
Pat Cummins entered the IPL 2024 auction after the 2021 T20 World Cup win, the 2023 Ashes retainer and then winning the ICC World Cup 2023 in India. He was in high demand given his previous outing in IPL saw him not only take wickets but score a 14-ball fifty as well.
CSK was the first to bid for Pat Cummins and MI followed suit. A fierce battle took place between the two franchises, raising Cummins’ price to INR 4.8 Cr with CSK. However, RCB and SRH entered the bidding war as well. CSK continued to bid with MI bowing out, but when the bid raised to INR 7.8 Cr, CSK folded as well. Finally, Sunrisers Hyderabad successfully bid INR 20.50 Cr, a record price for the Australian captain.
