The IPL 2024 auction in Dubai was a day full of surprises and big moments. It was like a mega cricket fair where teams spent a huge ₹2,30,45,00,000 to grab their favorite players. The star of the show was Mitchell Starc, who made a big comeback, joining Kolkata Knight Riders for a whopping ₹24,75,00,000. Then there was the young talent Sameer Rizvi, who became the talk of the town after Chennai Super Kings picked him for ₹8,40,00,000. And let’s not forget Daryl Mitchell, who turned heads when Gujarat Titans signed him for an impressive ₹14,00,00,000. This auction wasn’t just about buying players; it was about teams making smart moves and setting the stage for an exciting IPL season.”
The most expensive player: Mitchell Starc
The Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Starc became the most expensive player in the history of IPL, as he was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for a whopping ₹24,75,00,000. Starc, who had missed the last two editions of IPL due to injuries and personal reasons, was in high demand among the franchises, as he is one of the best fast bowlers in the world. Starc will join forces with Pat Cummins, another Australian speedster, to form a lethal bowling attack for KKR.
The top Indian buy: Sameer Rizvi
The 19-year-old batting sensation Sameer Rizvi was the top Indian buy in the auction, as he was snapped up by Chennai Super Kings for ₹8,40,00,000. Rizvi, who hails from Uttar Pradesh, had impressed everyone with his performances in the domestic circuit, as well as in the Under-19 World Cup. Rizvi is known for his aggressive strokeplay and versatility, as he can bat at any position in the order. Rizvi will join the likes of MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina and Faf du Plessis in the CSK batting line-up.
The biggest surprise: Daryl Mitchell
The New Zealand all-rounder Daryl Mitchell was the biggest surprise of the auction, as he was sold for ₹14,00,00,000 to Gujarat Titans. Mitchell, who had a base price of ₹50,00,000, saw a fierce bidding war between GT and Mumbai Indians, before the former clinched the deal. Mitchell, who is the son of former All Blacks coach John Mitchell, had a stellar season in the Super Smash, where he scored 318 runs and took 12 wickets in 10 matches. Mitchell will add depth and balance to the GT squad, which already boasts of players like Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and Rashid Khan.
Other Notable Players in IPL 2024 Auction
Jhye Richardson, the Australian fast bowler, who was bought by Punjab Kings for ₹5,00,00,000. Richardson had a brilliant Big Bash League season, where he took 29 wickets in 17 matches and was the leading wicket-taker of the tournament.
Harry Brook
Harry Brook, the English batsman, who was bought by Delhi Capitals for ₹4,00,00,000. Brook had a superb T20 Blast season, where he scored 485 runs in 14 innings at an average of 60.62 and a strike rate of 161.74. He also made his international debut against Pakistan in October 2023.
Rachin Ravindra
Rachin Ravindra, the New Zealand all-rounder, who was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad for ₹1,80,00,000. Ravindra is a left-handed batsman and a left-arm orthodox spinner, who can contribute with both bat and ball. He had a good Super Smash season, where he scored 211 runs and took 10 wickets in 10 matches. He also made his Test debut against India in November 2023 and scored a century in his second match
The unsold players: Manish Pandey, David Willey and others
The auction also saw some prominent players go unsold, despite having proven records in the IPL and international cricket. Some of the notable names who did not find any takers were Manish Pandey, David Willey, Umesh Yadav, Robin Uthappa, Shai Hope, Mujeeb Rahman and Sherfane Rutherford. These players will have to wait for another opportunity to showcase their skills in the IPL, or look for other leagues to play in.
