Pat Cummins, Australia’s World Cup-winning captain, became the first player in IPL auction history to break the INR 20 crore barrier, when Sunrisers Hyderabad outbid Royal Challengers Bangalore for the fast bowler for a whopping INR 20.50 crores. The signing fee eclipsed the INR 18.50 crores paid for Sam Curran at the 2023 auction, which was the previous high for a player signed during the auction.
Cummins, 30, has had a great year, leading Australia to a World Test Championship title and a drawn-out Ashes series. Cummins, on the other hand, has a mediocre IPL record, having claimed 45 wickets in 42 games at an economy of 8.54.
The Sunrisers, who also signed another recent World Cup champion in Travis Head for INR 6.8 crores, entered the bidding war for Cummins only after Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings had made offers. When the bidding reached INR 20 crores, SRH kept the course and outlasted RCB to acclaim from the audience.
Meanwhile, the Rajasthan Royals, like last year, made an early impact at the auction, spending more than half their budget to recruit Rovman Powell for INR 7.4 crores and add much-needed bulk to their lower-middle order. The Royals targeted English batting sensation Harry Brook but dropped out after the Delhi Capitals signed him for INR 4 crores, down from INR 13.25 crores he received from the Sunrisers last year.
Other noteworthy purchases
Gerald Coetzee – INR 5 crores – Mumbai Indians
Chris Woakes – INR 4.2 crores – Punjab Kings
Chennai Super Kings – Shardul Thakur – INR 4 crores
Chennai Super Kings – INR 1.8 crores Rachin Ravindra
Sunrisers Hyderabad – Wanindu Hasaranga – INR 1.5 crores
