Starc beats Cummins to become IPL's most expensive buy

Australia's left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc became the most expensive player in the history of the Indian Premier League, when Kolkata Knight Riders broke the bank and bought him for a record Rs 24.75 cr at the IPL Auction in Dubai on Tuesday.

At first, Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals were involved in an intense bid for Starc.

Later, Kolkata got involved in an intense tussle with Gujarat Titans before the latter backed out at INR 24.75 crore.

KKR, meanwhile, reunited with Starc after five years. The franchise had won a bid for the Australian pacer in 2018, but he missed the season due to a fracture of his right tibial bone.

Starc is joined by some heavyweight overseas stars including Andre Russell, Jason Roy, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Sunil Narine at KKR.

Earlier in the afternoon, his compatriot and Australian captain Pat Cummins became the most expensive player in the history of the Indian Premier League when SunRisers Hyderabad bid a whopping Rs 20.50 Crore for the pace spearhead.

With a base price of 2 crore, Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians opened the bidding war for the paceman before SRH and Royal Challengers Bangalore jumped in and contested hotly for the Australian bowler.

SunRisers took their price higher and bid 20 crore to a round of applause inside the room before they finally had their man for 20.5 crore -- the highest bid ever in the history of the IPL!

Cummins, who skipped the IPL last season, was also the most expensive buy in the 2020 IPL Auction, bagged by Kolkata Knight Riders for a whopping 15.50 crores.

He picked 12 wickets in 14 games that included a 4-wicket haul that season.

Earlier, Sam Curran held the record for most expensive player, bought by Punjab Kings for Rs 18.50 crore.