Pat Cummins Sold for Rs 20.50 Crore to Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2024 Auction
Pat Cummins Sold for Rs 20.50 Crore to Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2024 Auction
Pat Cummins, an Australian fast bowler, rose to become the second-most expensive player in Indian Premier League history. Following a fierce bidding war between SunRisers Hyderabad, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Chennai Super Kings, the World Cup 2023 winning captain was sold to SunRisers Hyderabad for Rs 20.50 crore.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) witnessed another historical moment on December 19th, 2023, as Australian captain Pat Cummins became the second most expensive player ever bought in the auction’s history. After an intense bidding war between Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Sunrisers Hyderabad, Cummins was finally snapped up by SRH for a staggering Rs 20.50 crore, leaving the cricketing world stunned.
Coming off a victorious World Cup campaign as captain, Cummins entered the auction with a base price of Rs 2 crore. What followed was a bidding battle like no other, with the price escalating rapidly within moments. CSK and MI initially locked horns, pushing the price to Rs 4.8 crore before RCB entered the fray. RCB’s aggression drove the figure to Rs 7.40 crore, but SRH refused to back down. Finally, when the dust settled, it was the Hyderabad franchise that emerged victorious, acquiring Cummins for a sum almost exceeding their entire auction purse.
Cummins’ price tag reflects his immense value as a multi-format star. Not only is he a world-class fast bowler, but his leadership qualities and experience on the big stage are invaluable assets for any T20 team. SRH, in particular, had been searching for a reliable pace-bowling partner for Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Cummins fills that void perfectly. His swing bowling prowess in the powerplay overs and his death-bowling expertise will add significant firepower to their bowling attack.
However, the sky-high price also begs the question: is it a gamble worth taking? While Cummins’ pedigree is undeniable, his T20 record is not as consistent as his Test and ODI performances. Critics argue that spending such a vast sum on a fast bowler in a T20 format might not be the most prudent move. The pressure of justifying such a hefty price tag could also affect Cummins’ performance.
Yet, SRH seems confident in its investment. Coach Tom Moody praised Cummins’ leadership skills and versatility, stating that he brings “balance and experience” to the team. He believes Cummins will excel under the captaincy of Kane Williamson, forming a formidable leadership duo.
Only time will tell whether SRH’s gamble on Pat Cummins pays off. But one thing is certain: his Rs 20.50 crore price tag has etched his name in IPL history and set a new benchmark for player valuations in the tournament. The cricketing world eagerly awaits to see if the “Cummins Effect” translates into success for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the upcoming IPL season.
Read This Also: Record-breaking bid 24.75 Cr and Beyond: Unveiling the Bid That Shattered Records
Pat Cummins: T20 International Records and Achievements
While Pat Cummins is primarily known for his exploits in Test and ODI cricket, he has also carved a respectable niche in the T20I format. Here’s a look at some of his notable records and achievements:
Bowling:
- Matches: 50 (as of December 21, 2023)
- Wickets: 64 (10th most among active players)
- Best Figures: 5/34 (vs Sri Lanka, 2023)
- Economy Rate: 7.37 (among the most economical active bowlers)
- Strike Rate: 16.0 (indicating consistency in taking wickets)
- World Cup Performance: 5 wickets in 7 matches with an economy rate of 7.37 during Australia’s victorious 2021 World Cup campaign.
Other Achievements:
- Led the Australian bowling attack in the 2021 T20 World Cup.
- Has held the No.1 T20I bowler ranking (December 2021 – February 2022).
- Holds the record for the fastest ball bowled by an Australian in T20Is (153.5 kmph vs Sri Lanka, 2023).
- Known for his skillful death bowling and ability to pick up key wickets.
