The IPL 2024 mini-auction in Dubai threw up some staggering numbers, with Australia's World Cup winners clinching the most lucrative contracts in the history of the tournament.
Left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc was the most sought after player, returning to the league after eight years. The all-format champion became the most expensive player ever in IPL, snapped up by Kolkata Knight Riders for almost $3 million, edging ahead of his captain Pat Cummins who had earlier become the first cricketer to breach the 200 million rupee mark.
Given the small pool of players and sizeable purses available, some players attracted much bigger bids than they would have during the main auction, as the attention of franchises was trained on a handful of names.
What it means now is that the top four most expensive players in IPL are all overseas names. Here, we take a look at the most expensive players at next year's tournament.
Highest-paid cricketers of IPL 2024
1. Mitchell Starc (Kolkata Knight Riders): 247.5 million rupees ($2.98m)
2. Pat Cummins (Sunrisers Hyderabad): 205m rupees ($2.46m)
3. Sam Curran (Punjab Kings): 185 million rupees ($2.22m)
4. Cameron Green (Royal Challengers Bangalore): 175m rupees ($2.1m)
5. KL Rahul (Lucknow Super Giants): 170m rupees ($2m)
6= Nicholas Pooran (Lucknow Super Giants): 160m rupees ($1.92m)
6= Ravindra Jadeja (Chennai Super Kings): 160m rupees ($1.92m)
6= Rishabh Pant (Delhi Capitals): 160m rupees ($1.92m)
6= Andre Russell (Kolkata Knight Riders): 160m rupees ($1.92m)
6= Rohit Sharma (Mumbai Indians): 160m rupees ($1.92m)
11. Ishan Kishan (Mumbai Indians): 152.5m rupees ($1.83m)
12= Hardik Pandya (Mumbai Indians): 150m rupees ($1.8m)
12= Rashid Khan (Gujarat Titans): 150m rupees ($1.8m)
12= Virat Kohli (Royal Challengers Bangalore): 150m rupees ($1.8m)
15= Daryl Mitchell (Chennai Super Kings): 140m rupees ($1.68m)
15= Sanju Samson (Rajasthan Royals): 140m rupees ($1.68m)
15= Deepak Chahar (Chennai Super Kings): 140m rupees ($1.68m)
18. Shreyas Iyer (Kolkata Knight Riders): 122.5m rupees ($1.47m)
19= Jasprit Bumrah (Mumbai Indians): 120m rupees ($1.44m)
19= MS Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings): 120m rupees ($1.44m)
-
Chennai Super Kings players celebrate after their win in the IPL final against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad, India, on Tuesday. AP -
The Super Kings took their fifth title, equalling Mumbai Indians, in a rain-interrupted Twenty20 final. AFP -
The Super Kings celebrate at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. AFP -
Fireworks at the Narendra Modi Stadium after the Chennai Super Kings' victory. AFP -
Chennai Super Kings help skipper MS Dhoni to victory in what might be his IPL swansong. AFP -
Sai Sudharsan hits out on his way to top scoring for Gujarat Titans with a total of 96 off 47 balls. Getty -
Sai Sudharsan of the Gujarat Titans bats. Getty -
Gujarat Titans' captain Hardik Pandya embraces Sai Sudharsan during the 2023 IPL final. Getty -
Teammates applaud Gujarat Titans' Sai Sudharsan (23) as he walks off the field after losing his wicket. AP -
Gujarat Titans' Wriddhiman Saha, left, celebrates his half century - on his way to a total of 54 off 39 - with batting partner Sai Sudharsan. AP -
Gujarat Titans' Shubman Gill is stumped Chennai Super Kings' wicketkeeper and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni after making 39 off 20. AFP -
Gujarat Titans' Shubman Gill plays a shot. AFP -
Chennai Super Kings' players celebrate after the dismissal of Gujarat Titans' Shubman Gill. AFP -
Chennai Super Kings' Matheesha Pathiranatook two wickets for 44 runs off his four overs, including the scalps of Sai Sudharsan and Rashid Khan. AP -
Gujarat Titans' captain Hardik Pandya plays a shot on his way to 21 runs off 12 balls. AP -
Chennai Super Kings' Devon Conway plays a shot. AP -
Chennai Super Kings' Devon Conway, left, and Ruturaj Gaikwad. AP -
Chennai Super Kings' Devon Conway plays over the top. AP -
Ruturaj Gaikwad of the Chennai Super Kings bats during the 2023 IPL final. Getty -
AHMEDABAD, INDIA - MAY 29: Ruturaj Gaikwad of the Chennai Super Kings hits out. Getty -
Gujarat Titans' Noor Ahmad celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Chennai Super Kings' Devon Conway. AFP -
Noor Ahmad of the Gujarat Titans celebrates the wicket of Ruturaj Gaikwad. Getty -
Noor Ahmed of the Gujarat Titans bowls during the 2023 IPL final. Getty -
Chennai Super Kings' Ajinkya Rahane plays a shot. AP
