IPL auction 2024: Australia’s World Cup-winning captain broke the all-time record for the most expensive player in the history of IPL. The Aussie star pulled the biggest price in the 17-year auction history when he was picked by Sunrisers Hyderabad for INR 20.50 crore. Royal Challengers Bangalore, Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings also went behind the Australian skipper but SRH were able to secure his services.
Cummins was listed in the highest bracket of 2 crore in the all-rounders' category. MI and CSK were the initial ones to go behind the World Cup-winning captain. But RCB and SRH came in as CSK and MI pulled out of the bidding war. As soon as the bid reached 20 crore, the auction arena was filled with a big round of applause as no other player had ever been able to breach the 20-crore mark in IPL.
Before Cummins, Sam Curran was the most expensive player in auction history as he was picked for INR 18.5 crore by Punjab Kings ahead of the 2023 auction. SRH have also roped in another Aussie World Cup star in the form of Travis Head. SRH took the social media and were overwhelmed with the signees they have made. "PAT your backs, Hyd. We’re HEADing towards glory," SRH wrote on X.
Cummins was not part of the IPL 2023 auction as he had opted to miss the previous season. "I’ve made the difficult decision to miss next years IPL. The international schedule is packed with Tests and ODI’s for the next 12 months, so will take some rest ahead of an Ashes series and World Cup. Thanks so much to @KKRiders for their understanding. Such a terrific team of players and staff and I hope I can get back there ASAP," Cummins had said after pulling out of the previous IPL.
Cummins was Sunrisers' third purchase of the auction. They had already roped in Travis Head and Wanindu Hasaranga at the bidding war. SRH bought Head for INR 6.8 crore and then made a steal by picking Hasaranga at his base price of INR 1.5 crore.
