In a surprising turn of events at the IPL 2024 auction, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) raised eyebrows by shelling out a whopping ₹24.75 crore and ₹20.50 crore to acquire Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, respectively. Setting a new record as the two most expensive purchases in IPL auction history, Starc and Cummins ignited a fierce debate on the rationale behind such high-stakes decisions.
In a Q&A session on his YouTube channel, former South African captain AB de Villiers expressed scepticism over KKR and SRH’s auction strategies. De Villiers, who retired from international cricket but remains a keen observer of the game, suggested that Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings displayed a more strategic and non-emotional approach to player acquisitions compared to their counterparts.
“I couldn’t agree more. Some very smart buys. Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings and other teams that do well in the IPL do well in the auction as well. They make smart buys and not emotional buys. Cummins and Starc, both incredible players, but really, for that price?” he questioned.
“It just shows you the demand. There was demand for fast bowlers in this year’s auction and when the demand goes up, the price goes up,” he added.
De Villiers emphasized the unprecedented demand for fast bowlers in the IPL 2024 auction, attributing the inflated prices for Starc and Cummins to this prevailing trend. Mitchell Starc, in particular, emerged as the costliest player in IPL history after KKR engaged in a fierce bidding war with Gujrat Titans.
The acquisitions of Starc and Cummins not only sparked discussions among cricket pundits and fans but also raised questions about the evolving economics of T20 leagues and franchise cricket. De Villiers stressed the importance of well-thought-out purchases, hinting that successful IPL teams make strategic decisions rather than emotional ones.
As the cricket world awaits the IPL, all eyes are on Starc and Cummins. Their performances on the field will undoubtedly be closely scrutinized in relation to their record-breaking auction prices, leaving fans and analysts to ponder whether the hefty investments will translate into on-field success for KKR and SRH. The IPL 2024 auction results mark a historic moment, breaking the 20-crore barrier for the first time and indicating a continuing trend of escalating player prices, especially for top-performing international stars.
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10 most expensive players in IPL 2024
