Pat Cummins, the Australian Test captain and fast bowler, has been sold for a record ₹20.5 crore to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 mini-auction held in Dubai on Monday.
Cummins' price tag surpasses the previous record of ₹16 crore set by Chris Morris in 2021. He is now the most expensive foreign player in IPL history.
The 29-year-old Cummins was in high demand among the franchises following his impressive performances in recent times. He was the leading wicket-taker for Australia in the T20 World Cup earlier this year, and he has also been in good form in Test cricket.
KKR, who were looking for a pace bowler to bolster their attack, were determined to get Cummins. They were involved in a bidding war with the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and the Mumbai Indians (MI), but eventually came out on top.
"We are delighted to have Pat Cummins on board," said KKR CEO Venky Mysore. "He is a world-class bowler and a proven match-winner. We believe he will add great value to our team."
Cummins, who is also a handy batsman lower down the order, said he was excited to be joining KKR.
"I am really looking forward to playing for KKR," he said. "It is a franchise with a lot of history and success, and I am excited to be a part of it. I hope I can contribute to the team's success in the years to come."
Cummins' record-breaking sale is a sign of the ever-increasing popularity and value of the IPL. The league has grown into one of the most lucrative sporting events in the world, and the players are reaping the rewards.
It is expected that Cummins' price tag will set a new benchmark for player salaries in the IPL. Other top players, such as Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer, are also likely to attract big bids at the next auction.
The IPL 2024 mini-auction was held to fill in the slots of players who were released by their franchises before the season. A total of 25 players were up for grabs, and there was some intense bidding for the top stars.
Cummins was undoubtedly the star of the show, and his record-breaking price tag is sure to dominate the headlines in the coming days. It will be interesting to see if he can live up to the hype and justify his hefty price tag in the upcoming IPL season.
