New Delhi: Will there be a INR 20 crore bid in Dubai? This was the most asked question, and Sunrisers Hyderabad answered it on Tuesday. After a fierce bidding battle against Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore, the 2016 champions secured the 2023 ODI World Cup-winning captain, Pat Cummins, for a record-breaking price of INR 20.50 crore, making him as the most expensive player in IPL history.
Chennai Super Kings started the bidding at the base price of INR 2 crore for the Australian all-rounder. Mumbai Indians engaged in a fierce battle, driving the price up to 4.8 crore alongside Chennai. However, Mumbai eventually withdrew, leaving CSK to believe they had secured a third all-rounder after acquiring World Cup breakout star Rachin Ravindra for INR 1.8 crore and bringing back Shardul Thakur for INR 4 crore. Subsequently, Royal Challengers Bangalore entered the fray.
Bangalore won against CSK with a 7.8 crore bid. Sunrisers Hyderabad joined the competition after securing Wanindu Hasaranga for a great deal at his base price of INR 1.5 crore. The bidding war heated up until SRH surprised everyone with a 20-crore proposal, earning applause. Despite RCB’s efforts, Hyderabad emerged victorious.
Cummins, who led Australia to a World Test Championship win in June and retained the Ashes in England, has become the IPL’s most expensive player for the second time. In 2020, Kolkata Knight Riders bought him for INR 15.50 crore, making him the costliest foreign player. With 16 IPL matches, he took 17 wickets at an economy rate of 8.29 and is known for his impactful contributions as a lower-order batter, including a notable 14-ball 50 for KKR against Mumbai.