Dubai: Five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) signed New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra for Rs 1.8 crore at the Indian Premier League 2024 auction in Dubai on Tuesday.
Rachin had kept his base price at Rs 50 lakh. CSK and Delhi Capitals (DC) started the bidding war for the young Kiwi opener before Punjab Kings (PBKS) entered the fray at Rs 1.1 crore. But he was ultimately bought by CSK for Rs 1.8 crore. Rachin will make his IPL debut in 2024. The 23-year-old scored 578 runs in 10 innings to end as the fourth-highest run-getter of ODI World Cup 2023 in India.
Australia’s World Cup-winning captain Pat Cummins, however, emerged as the most expensive player in the history of the league as Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) grabbed him for Rs 20.50 crore after triumphing an intense bidding war against CSK and Royal Challengers Bangalore.
The fast bowler surpassed the previous record of Rs 18.50 crore held by England all-rounder Sam Curran, who was acquired by Punjab Kings last year.
World Cup 2023 final’s player-of-the-match Travis Head was also snapped by SRH for Rs 6.8 crore after an intense bidding battle with CSK.
Similarly, West Indies T20 skipper Rovman Powell went to Rajasthan Royals for Rs 7.40 crore. Shardul Thakur, the only member of the World Cup squad to be in the auction, was picked up by CSK for Rs 4 crore. Harry Brook was signed by DC at Rs 4 crore even as Rajasthan Royals (RR) tried hard to the get him.
Fast bowler Harshal Patel went to Punjab Kings for a whopping Rs 11.75 crore.
