Bowlers reign supreme in record-breaking IPL 2024 auction

The IPL 2024 auction has brought unprecedented attention to bowlers, diverting focus from the usual batting stars that dominate the event.

Here’s a rundown of the five significant bowler deals that have shaken up this year's auction:

Starc, Cummins make history

• The Australian fast bowler, Mitchell Starc, has set a new IPL record by becoming the most expensive player ever. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) won the bidding for him at a whopping Rs. 24.75 crore.

• Starc broke the previous record set by his national side teammate, Pat Cummins, on the same day. Starc amped up the excitement by surpassing Cummins' Rs. 20.50 crore deal with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).

• Both Starc and Cummins shattered the previous record set last year by England’s Sam Curran, who landed a Rs. 18.5 crore deal with Punjab Kings.

Bowlers take centre stage

• The tournament, usually associated with batting brilliance, has shocked everyone with big-money deals for bowlers in this auction.

• Though the norm often sees batters and allrounders making high-value purchases, it’s the bowlers who have attracted the majority of the big-money moves this year, going beyond the Starc and Cummins deal.

Harshal Patel to Punjab Kings

• Indian pace bowler Harshal Patel, always a popular attraction during IPL auctions, secured another big-money move.

• Following the moves of Cummins and Starc, Punjab Kings roped in Harshal Patel for Rs. 11.75 crore.
• Harshal, who took the most wickets in the 2021 season, played for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the last three seasons before being released this year.

Umesh Yadav's switch to Gujarat Titans

• The case for bowlers became stronger as Umesh Yadav joined Gujarat Titans for Rs. 5.8 crore in the recent IPL 2024 auction in Dubai.

• The Indian bowler is known for his stints with Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Delhi Capitals.
• Yadav boasts an impressive IPL record with 136 wickets, placing him in the top 10 among Indian wicket-takers in the tournament.

Shivam Mavi to Lucknow SuperGiants

• The surprise move came from 25-year-old Shivam Mavi, who clinched a deal with Lucknow SuperGiants for Rs. 6.4 crore.

• After an intense bidding battle, the Sanjeev Goenka-owned team secured the deal for the Indian pacer Shivam Mavi.
• Mavi had previously played for Kolkata Knight Riders and Gujarat Titans before being released by the latter in 2023 by the franchise.

This makes it five bowlers (including the big moves for Starc and Cummins) who have made the franchises break their banks to acquire their services for IPL 2024.