IPL Auction 2024: Mitchell Starc secures staggering Rs 24.75 crore deal with KKR

IPL Auction 2024 has witnessed remarkable developments, with Mitchell Starc stealing the spotlight as the most expensive player in IPL history, securing a jaw-dropping deal of ₹24.75 crore with KKR. Pat Cummins set the stage earlier by becoming the first player to breach the ₹20 crore mark, signing with SRH for ₹20.50 crore, only to have his record surpassed within minutes by Starc.

Other notable transactions include Daryl Mitchell, engaged in a fierce bidding war, eventually being acquired by CSK for ₹14 crore. Harshal Patel fetched a significant sum of ₹11.75 crore from PBKS, while RCB secured Alzarri Joseph for ₹11.50 crore. Travis Head, the Australian World Cup hero, joined SRH for ₹6.80 crore.

In addition to player acquisitions, Rishabh Pant's return to Delhi Capitals added intrigue to the auction, where he employed his tactics and strategies. The 10 franchises collectively possess a substantial purse of ₹262.95 crore, with Gujarat Titans leading with ₹38.15 crore, followed by Sunrisers Hyderabad with ₹34 crore.

The auction, conducted by Mallika Sagar, the first female auctioneer in IPL history, involves filling 77 slots from a pool of 213 Indian and 116 foreign players categorized into 19 sets based on their skills. The price brackets range from ₹2 crore to lower denominations.

Despite the absence of notable players like Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer, Shakib Al Hasan, and Joe Root, the anticipation for the IPL 2024 remains high. The event has already made headlines with Hardik Pandya set to captain Mumbai Indians for the first time, coinciding with MS Dhoni's farewell season. The IPL 2024 is expected to commence on March 22, promising a thrilling edition with exciting additions and team dynamics.