Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant became the most expensive player in IPL history on Sunday when he sold for a record $3.2-million.
A total of 577 players are up for grabs at the two-day auction in Jeddah, with Pant, England veteran James Anderson and New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra among the top names.
The 2023 record of 247.5-million rupees Kolkata paid to Australian Mitchell Starc was first breached by the Punjab Kings, who the IPL said snapped up Shreyas Iyer for a “handsome” 267.5-million rupees ($3.17-million).
Iyer (29) captained the Kolkata Knight Riders to their third IPL crown this year.
But that record rapidly tumbled.
The IPL reported the Lucknow Super Giants paid a “gigantic” 270-million rupees for 27-year-old star keeper Rishabh Pant.
MORE: Rabada, Miller cash in at IPL auction
The auction started on a sizzling note when Indian quick Arshdeep Singh’s name began a bidding war, which ended with Punjab getting the left-arm pace bowler for $2.13-million.
This year, Australian left-arm quick Starc was not retained by Kolkata – and went to the Delhi Capitals for $1.39-million.
The Gujarat Titans paid $1.87-million for England white-ball skipper Jos Buttler, while India pace bowler Mohammed Shami went to the Sunrisers Hyderabad for $1.18-million.
Shami (34) has recovered from a foot injury and is expected to join the Test team in the ongoing series in Australia.
© Agence France-Presse
Photo: BCCI
