The IPL 2024 auction, hosted at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena, witnessed a battle of titans on December 19. As franchises aimed to assemble winning squads with a budget of INR 100 crore, rivalries unfolded at the bidding table. The stage was set with 333 players, including 119 overseas talents, going under the hammer, creating an atmosphere of anticipation and excitement.
However, as the bids unfolded, some teams found themselves at the crossroads of strategic spending and potential oversights. As the dust settled, questions arose about whether these franchises could strike the delicate balance between assembling a competitive squad and managing their purse judiciously. Here are 3 teams that overspent on players in auction:
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3. Gujarat Titans – Spencer Johnson
Gujarat Titans spent INR 10 crore to pick Spencer Johnson in their squad during the last phase of the auction. They fought a battle with Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals to complete the bid. Spencer, the 28-year-old Australian pacer made his International debut this year,
Johnson made his T20 debut during the last edition of the Big Bash League and took nine wickets in 10 matches at an average of 31.33. He played for the Los Angeles Knight Riders in the Major League Cricket this year and took two wickets in three matches. In the Hundred, he picked five wickets in six matches at an average of 25.80.
2. Sunrisers Hyderabad – Pat Cummins
Pat Cummins became the first player to break the INR 20-crore barrier in the IPL 2024 auction. A total of four teams engaged in the process of having the Australian captain in their team. Sunrisers Hyderabad had to spend INR 20.5 crore to have the services of Cummins.
SRH now have a total of eight overseas players in their squad, and they can utilize only four at one point. Cummins didn’t play a single T20I match this year. He has taken 23 wickets in 25 T20I matches since 2020 at an economy of 7.88.
1. Kolkata Knight Riders – Mitchell Starc
Mitchell Starc became the most expensive player in the IPL 2024 auction. Kolkata Knight Riders spent INR 24.75 crore for Starc. Starc will return to IPL next year after a nine-year gap. He has taken 34 wickets in 27 matches in IPL at an average of 20.38, an economy of 7.17, and a strike rate of 17.06.
Much like Cummins, Starc has also not played a T20I match this year. His economy in the last three years has been 8.36. Interestingly, Starc has not played a single T20I in his career in India.
