As the hammer dropped at the IPL auction last month on January 15, 2024, cricket fans saw an incredible event of breaking records. The auction, famous for its high-stakes bidding battles, smashed previous records, setting new highs in player values, team plans, and overall financial dynamics.
From eye-popping prices for top players to surprising moves by teams, the auction not only changed the way we look at the Indian Premier League but also paved the way for an extraordinary season to come.
Now, the cricket world is buzzing with talks about the huge amounts spent, smart moves, and the potential game-changing effects on the upcoming tournament. To get a closer look at the most expensive player signings for IPL franchises in 2024, check out the exciting details of this historic auction.
List Of Top 10 Players in 2024
Player | Team | Auction Price (in Rs crore) | Base year Price (in Rs crore) |
Mitchell Starc | KKR | ₹24.75 | ₹ 2 |
Pat Cummins | SRH | ₹20.50 | ₹ 2 |
Daryll Mitchell | CSK | ₹14 | ₹1 |
Harshal Patel | PKBS | ₹11.75 | ₹2 |
Alzarri Joseph | RCB | ₹11.50 | ₹1 |
Spencer Johnson | GT | ₹10 | ₹50L |
Sameer Rizvi | CSK | ₹8.40 | ₹20L |
Rilee Rossouw | PK | ₹8 | ₹2 |
Rovman Powell | RR | ₹7.40 | ₹1 |
Shahrukh Khan | GT | ₹7.40 | ₹40L |
1. Mitchell Starc- KKR ( ₹24.75 crore)
During the IPL 2024 auction, Mitchell Starc was in high demand as multiple teams wanted to sign him for his excellent bowling skills.
The bidding war for Starc was intense, and the amount teams were willing to pay went up to a huge ₹24.75 crore.
In the end, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) won the bidding battle and got Starc on their team for this record-breaking amount. This competition among teams showed that everyone recognized Starc’s talent and teams were ready to spend a lot to have a top-notch fast bowler like him.
2. Pat Cummins – SRH ( ₹20.50 crore)
The Australian captain, who had a great 2023, briefly held the record for being the most expensive player ever in the IPL. He surpassed Sam Curran’s ₹18.25 crore record when the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) bid ₹20.50 crore for him in the auction.
Cummins was the priciest player before when KKR bid ₹16.25 crores for him in the 2020 auction.
He briefly held the record again in the 2024 auction, but his teammate Mitchell Starc surpassed it, as mentioned earlier. This will be the fourth IPL team for the Australian fast bowler, having previously played for the Mumbai Indians, Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), and the Kolkata Knight Riders.
3. Daryll Mitchell-CSK ( ₹14 crore)
Following an impressive performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup, the New Zealand all-rounder sparked a bidding war between the Delhi Capitals (DC) and the Punjab Kings (PBKS). However, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) emerged victorious with a winning bid of ₹14 crore, securing Mitchell’s talents.
This makes Mitchell the fourth New Zealand player in the current CSK squad, joining the ranks of Devon Conway, Mitchell Santner, and Rachin Ravindra.
In the 2022 IPL season, Mitchell represented the Rajasthan Royals (RR), making two appearances for the franchise. During his stint, he scored 33 runs at a strike rate of 75 before being released. Now, Mitchell brings his skills to the CSK squad, aiming to contribute to their success in the upcoming IPL campaign.
4. Harshal Patel-PKBS ( ₹11.75 crore)
Securing a higher bid than in the 2022 mega-auction, the specialist in death overs is now part of the Punjab Kings (PBKS) for the upcoming season. The 2014 IPL finalists made a significant ₹11.75 crore bid to acquire his services.
Despite winning the Purple Cap in the 2021 IPL, Harshal Patel had a challenging 2023 season, leading to his release by RCB. Both the Gujarat Titans (GT) and the Lucknow SuperGiants (LSG) expressed interest in adding him to their squads, but PBKS ultimately secured him, strengthening their bowling unit.
Harshal, eager to showcase his skills in Mohali, will join forces with Arshdeep Singh and Sam Curran to handle the crucial responsibility of bowling in the final overs of the innings.
5. Alzarri Joseph – RCB (₹11.50 crore)
The talented West Indies fast bowler played an important role in the Gujarat Titans’ (GT) title victory in 2022. However, his performance in the 2023 season suffered due to injuries and tough competition from Josh Little, leading to his release before the mini-auction.
Alzarri Joseph, who recently showcased his brilliance against England in the ongoing T20I series, became the center of a bidding war between RCB and LSG. Ultimately, RCB secured his services with a ₹11.50 crore bid. Having previously represented the Mumbai Indians, Alzarri Joseph made an impact by taking 20 wickets in 19 matches at an economy rate of 9.19. His recent stellar form adds a formidable asset to RCB’s bowling lineup for the upcoming season.
6. Spencer Johnson- GT ( ₹10 crore)
Spencer Johnson got a ₹10 crore deal with the Gujarat Titans (GT) in the IPL auction, making him a valuable addition to the team. The Australian all-rounder did well in his last IPL season, showing he can both bat and bowl effectively.
His ability to handle pressure and give strong performances made many teams interested in him during the bidding process. Eventually, GT successfully got him with a significant bid, showing their smart strategy in building a strong team for the upcoming season. Johnson joining GT adds more skills to their team and makes his IPL journey look promising and exciting.
7. Sameer Rizvi- CSK ( ₹8.40 crore)
Sameer Rizvi got an ₹8.40 crore deal with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL auction, making him a valuable addition to the team. The Indian all-rounder performed well in his previous IPL season, showing he can both bat and bowl effectively. Many teams noticed his consistent contributions and ability to handle pressure situations during the auction. CSK, understanding his all-around skills, successfully got Rizvi in a competitive bidding process.
The challenges in the bidding highlighted how much teams wanted his skills. Rizvi joining CSK not only makes their team stronger but also sets the stage for an exciting partnership as they prepare for the upcoming IPL season.
8. Rilee Rossouw- PK ( ₹ 8 crore)
With an impressive track record, Rilee Rossouw secured a hefty ₹8 crore deal and is ready to shine for the Punjab Kings (PK) in the upcoming IPL season.
The South African batsman, known for his impactful performances, caught attention with good stats from his previous IPL stint, showing his skill with the bat.
Teams fought in a tough bidding war for Rossouw, recognizing his consistent contributions and ability to play crucial innings.
The challenges in getting him were clear, but PK emerged successful with a significant bid. Now, as Rossouw joins the PK team, his excellent batting skills add excitement to the lineup, promising an engaging partnership in the upcoming IPL campaign.
9. Rovman Powell- RR ( ₹ 7.40 crore)
Scoring a big ₹7.40 crore deal with the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the IPL auction, Rovman Powell brings lively energy to the team.
Originally from Jamaica, this all-rounder showed off his strong batting and quick fielding skills in his last IPL season. Powell’s cricketing talent stood out even when things got tough, showing he can handle both batting and bowling well.
The exciting bidding war for Powell’s skills showed how much teams wanted him, and RR ended up winning that exciting competition.
Powell joining the RR team not only brings a lot of enthusiasm but also promises to make the team’s performances more exciting in the upcoming IPL season.
10. Shahrukh Khan – GT ( ₹ 7.40 crore)
Shahrukh Khan got a ₹7.40 crore deal with the Gujarat Titans (GT) in the IPL auction, bringing his dynamic skills to the team. The Indian cricketer, who is not a Bollywood actor, did well in the last IPL season with impactful performances.
Despite facing challenges, Shahrukh Khan showed he can handle both batting and bowling well, contributing effectively to his team’s success.
Many teams wanted him in the auction, showing how much they valued his talents. In the end, GT successfully got him with a notable bid, underlining the intense competition.
Khan joining the GT team makes them stronger as they get ready for the upcoming IPL season, adding both power-hitting and versatility to the lineup.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the IPL 2024 auction saw a lot of money being spent as teams competed to get the best players. The huge amounts invested in getting the top 10 expensive players show how intense the competition was.
Whether it’s well-known players or new talents, each new edition comes with big expectations, making the upcoming season look exciting and competitive.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who was the highest-paid player in the IPL 2024 auction?
Mitchell Starc, was signed by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for ₹24.75 crore.
2. Which franchise made the most expensive signing in terms of player acquisition cost?
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) secured Mitchell Starc for ₹24.75 crore, making it the highest bid.
3. How does the spending in the 2024 auction compare to previous IPL seasons?
The 2024 auction witnessed record-breaking sums, surpassing spending levels in previous IPL seasons.
4. Were there any surprise signings or unexpected bidding wars during the auction?
Yes, there were unexpected bidding wars, such as the intense battle for Mitchell Starc, breaking records.
5. What impact are these costly signings expected to have on the dynamics of the upcoming IPL season?
These expensive signings are expected to significantly influence team dynamics, adding firepower and excitement to the upcoming IPL season.
Utpal is a journalist covering online and offline sports in India. He has passion for everything sports and is a regular at various sports events. Follow him to stay abreast of all things sports.
