Indian cricket team batter Shreyas Iyer became the costliest player in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction history. Shreyas, who was the Kolkata Knight Riders captain in IPL 2024, was bought for a mammoth sum of Rs 26.75 crore by Punjab Kings. Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals were locked in a huge bidding war for the star batter but it was Punjab who finally emerged victorious. Previously, the biggest auction buy was Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc who joined KKR for Rs 24.75 Crore.
Punjab Kings have bought India pacer Arshdeep Singh for Rs 18 crore after using their Right to Match (RTM) card in the IPL 2024 Auction here at the Abadi Al Johar Arena in Jeddah on Sunday.
𝙃𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙘 𝙎𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙐𝙣𝙡𝙤𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙙
Say hello to the 𝙈𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙀𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙮𝙚𝙧 in the history of #TATAIPL
Punjab Kings have Shreyas Iyer on board for a handsome 𝗜𝗡𝗥 𝟮𝟲.𝟳𝟱 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝗿𝗲#TATAIPLAuction | @ShreyasIyer15 | @PunjabKingsIPL pic.twitter.com/z0A1M9MD1Z
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Arshdeep, with a base price of Rs 2 crore, was the first pick of the auction in the first set of marquee players. Chennai Super Kings were the first to raise their paddle followed by Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Titans, Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Sunrisers Hyderabad won the final bid for Arshdeep at Rs 15.75 crore before Punjab used their RTM card for their player. SRH raised the price to Rs 18 cr which Punjab agreed to spare to acquire the services of the pacer.
The two-day bidding action began after the opening speech from the IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal.
Punjab Kings have the highest purse of Rs 110.5 crore for the two-day gala event after retaining just two players – Shashank Singh, and Prabhsimran Singh – before the auction.
Kagiso Rabada was the next player on the list and was bagged by Gujarat Titans for Rs 10.75 crore. GT headed to the auction with a purse of Rs 69 crore after retaining Rashid Khan, Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Rahul Tewatia and Shahrukh Khan.
(With IANS inputs)