Kochi: England all-rounder Sam Curran became Friday the most expensive player in the history of IPL auctions after being bought by Punjab Kings for Rs 18.50 crore. An intense bidding followed for Sam Curran with Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings, Lucknow Super Giants and Punjab Kings raising their paddles frenetically to secure the services of T20 World Cup player-of-the tournament.
In the end, it was Punjab Kings that broke the bank to get Curran, who drew highest-ever bid. It bettered the previous best buy of Rs 16.25 crore that Rajasthan Royals had shelled out to grab South African all-rounder Chris Morris in 2021.
Australia all-rounder Cameroon Green was second-highest earner, fetching Rs 17.50 crore bid from Mumbai Indians.
“I am pinching myself that this has all happened. It’s such a weird feeling watching an auction for yourself. I can’t believe how nervous I was and I was shaking like anything when the final call was confirmed,” Green said on ‘Star Sports’ show Cricket Live – Auction Special.
“I’ve always been a huge fan of the IPL and it’s going to be so cool to be a part of it. The Mumbai Indians are one of the powerhouses of the competition so I feel very humbled to be joining them. I can’t wait to get there (Mumbai) next year,” Green added.
England Test skipper Ben Stokes was the third-highest gainer, fetching Rs 16.25 crore from CSK who pipped Kolkata Knight Riders in another intense bidding war.
The bidding for the all-rounders was so intense that Curran, Green and Stokes were bought for a total amount of Rs 52.25 crore.
England players were in demand as batter Harry Brook earned Rs 13.25 crore winning bid from Sunrisers Hyderabad. He started at a base price of Rs 1.5 crore. The bidding for Brook was mainly between SRH and Rajasthan Royals.
India international Mayank Agarwal was also bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 8.25 crore. His base price was set at Rs 1 crore.
New Zealand stalwart Kane Williamson was sold at his base price at Rs 2 crore to Gujarat Titans. Out-of-favour India batter Ajinkya Rahane was sold at his base price of Rs 50 lakh to Chennai Supper Kings, the only bidder for the player.
South Africa batter Rilee Rossouw and Bangladesh al-rounder Shakib Al-Hasan went unsold. However, West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder went to Rajasthan Royals for Rs 5.75 crore.
Australia T20 captain Aaron Finch was not surprised by the big bucks attracted by Curran, Stokes and Green. He said all three are world-class all-rounders who can add value to their respective sides.
“I think the only separation between Sam Curran, Ben Stokes and Cameron Green is Curran’s ability to bowl in the last five overs. His record has been unbelievable. So, that probably gives him the nod if you’re going down the road of a bowling all-rounder,” Ben said.
“But Stokes, he structures out any side tremendously well because he can bat in the top four, he can bat in the top six, and you can almost bank on him to bowl four overs as well. So, that’s a huge asset and I’m not surprised that all three of those guys have been paid what they have been paid there,” Finch added.
West Indies great Brian Lara, who is the head coach of SRH, said they went for Brook, keeping in mind finisher’s role. “With the absence of Pooran, we were looking at someone who could finish the game for us. Harry Brook’s exploits around the world has shown that he has the capability of doing it. It will take time for him to get into the groove but the expectation is pretty high and I believe that’s he’s a great choice,” Lara said.
Name Amount in Rs
Sam Curran 18.50 crore
Cameroon Green 17.50 crore
Ben Stokes 16.25 crore
Nicholas Pooran 16.00 crore
Harry Brook 13.25 crore
Mayank Agarwal 8.25 crore
Shivam Mavi 6.00 crore
Jason Holder 5.75 crore
Mukesh Kumar 5.50 crore
Heinrich Klaasen 5.25 crore
Rilee Rossouw 4.6 crore
