The Indian Premier League 2024 auction broke numerous records as franchises paid massive chunks of money to buy big names in the world of cricket. Fast bowlers ruled the auction as teams were keen to add versatility to their playing XIs.
Apart from on-field battles, the world of cricket witnessed several franchises fighting on the auction table to secure the services of a specific player. The auction got underway with Rajasthan Royals purchasing West Indies’ Rovman Powell for INR 7.4 crore. However, this was only the start as various surprises unfolded later in the auction.
Hence, without further delay, let’s take a look at the top 5 most expensive players in the IPL 2024 auction.
#5 Alzarri Joseph: INR 11.5 Cr (Royal Challengers Bangalore)
Alzarri Joseph made his IPL debut with Mumbai Indians in 2019 as a replacement for New Zealand’s Adam Milne. Making his debut against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Joseph broke Sohail Tanvir’s 11-year record for the best bowling figure in the Indian Premier League history by scalping 6 wickets for 12 runs.
However, the next season, he was released by Mumbai Indians. In 2022, he was signed by the Gujarat Titans and played a crucial role in the Titans lifting the IPL trophy in their debut campaign.
After struggling with injuries, Joseph was released by the Titans ahead of the IPL 2024 auction. During the auction, a bidding war was triggered between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bangalore. However, RCB eventually managed to sign the fast bowler for a staggering sum of INR 11.50 Crore.
#4 Harshal Patel: INR 11.75 Cr (Punjab Kings)
Harshal Patel has been brought by Punjab Kings for Rs 11.75 Crore
Former Royal Challengers Bangalore star Harshal Patel has been bought by Punjab Kings for an astounding amount of INR 11.75 crore. Gujarat Titans and the Lucknow Super Giants were also interested in signing the Indian fast bowler but the Kings managed to close the deal.
Patel made his IPL debut in 2012 for Royal Challengers Bangalore. After six years, in 2018, he joined Delhi Capitals before he returned to Bangalore in 2021 on a trade deal. In the same edition, he took 32 wickets and became the highest Indian wicket-taker in a single season.
However, in 2023, Patel failed to perform up to expectations and was eventually released by RCB. Now, he will be joined by Arshdeep Singh and Sam Curran in the death overs for the Punjab Kings in the 2024 IPL.
#3 Daryl Mitchell: INR 14 Cr (Chennai Super Kings)
After completing the purchase of Rachin Ravindra for INR 1.80 crore, Chennai Super Kings decided to buy another Blackcaps all-rounder, Daryl Mitchell. The bidding war was Initially ignited by Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings, however, the Capitals decided to opt out after Mitchell crossed the INR 11 crore mark. As soon as the Capitals left the competition, CSK entered the race and completed the purchase of Mitchell for INR 14 crore.
Mitchell made his debut in the Indian Premier League in 2022 with Rajasthan Royals, where he played two matches and failed to make any impact. However, The Blackcaps all-rounder had an astounding ICC World Cup campaign as he accumulated a total of 552 runs in ten innings.
He also scored two impressive centuries against the bowling line-up of the hosts on Indian grounds. As a result, various IPL franchises were interested in signing the New Zealand player.
Apart from Mitchell, Stephan Fleming’s side has three more New Zealand players, Devon Conway, Mitchell Santner, and Rachin Ravindra.
#2 Pat Cummins: INR 20.5 Cr (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
Sunrisers Hyderabad purchased Pat Cummins for INR 20.50 Crore
Australian captain Pat Cummins has become the second most expensive player in the history of the Indian Premier League. Sunrisers Hyderabad purchased the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup-winning skipper for a staggering amount of INR 20.50 crore.
Cummins has been a part of other franchises such as Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders in the recent editions of the tournament. In 2020, he was brought by KKR for a then-record price of INR 15.5 crore. After being with the Knight Riders until 2022, he decided to opt out of the 2023 IPL due to his commitments with the national team.
In 2023, Cummins has already enjoyed immense success as he steered the Australian cricket team toward the title of the ICC World Test championship and then the Cricket World Cup.
#1 Mitchell Starc: INR 24.75 Cr (Kolkata Knight Riders)
Pundits and Cricket fans predicted that Mitchell Starc could be one of the most expensive players in the IPL auction but his actual price exceeded the expectations. The Australian left-arm fast bowler has been brought by Kolkata Knight Riders for an astounding amount of INR 24.75 crore.
Starc has also become the most expensive player in the history of IPL after he breached Pat Cummins’ record, which was also created earlier in the day. The bidding war was started by Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians. Nevertheless, as soon as the bid crossed the INR 10 crore mark, both sides opted out and the price was later stretched by the likes of the Kolkata Knight Riders and the Gujarat Titans.
Starc has always prioritized international duty over franchise cricket. He made his last appearance in the Indian Premier League in 2015 when he was a part of Royal Challengers Bangalore.
He was also listed in the 2019 auction, where he was purchased by the Kolkata-based franchise for INR 9.4 crore but he failed to participate due to an injury. Later in 2022, he decided to not take part in the IPL season, stating “bubble fatigue” as a reason.