IPL Auction 2024: Rs 20 Crore for Pat Cummins by Sunrisers Hyderabad was not expected: Anil Kumble

Pat Cummins became the highest ever buy in IPL history, but he was soon surpassed by compatriot Mitchell Starc, who set a new all-time high of Rs 24.75 crore.

Pat Cummins became the first player to break the bank of Rs 20 crore in history if he got IPL. (Image: ICC)

New Delhi: Former India captain Anil Kumble believes Australia’s World Cup-winning skipper Pat Cummins has received an unexpectedly high price of Rs 20.50 crore at the IPL auction for his leadership qualities. A fast bowling all-rounder, Cummins was poached by SRH for a whopping Rs 20.50 crore after an intense bidding war ensued with Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings at the IPL mini-auction ahead of the 2024 season.

“That is a very high price. Rs 20 crores was not expected. We knew he would go for a higher price, but Rs 20 crore, it has become a record,” Kumble, also a former India coach, told JioCinema. With the winning bid, Cummins became the highest ever buy in IPL history, but was soon surpassed by compatriot Mitchell Starc, who set a new all-time IPL auction record of Rs 24.75 crore.

“SRH may be looking for a captain and that could be the reason why we are seeing desperation to get in,” he said. “Maybe RCB was also looking for a long-term captain. Good luck to Pat Cummins. Three trophies, but this would probably be the icing on the cake.”

England World Cup-winning skipper Eoin Morgan believes Cummins drew the fee for his recent success leading the Australian national team. “The player that Pat Cummins is and given the last year and a half he has had, both with leadership and as a bowler in the World Test Championship winning side, retaining the Ashes in England during the English summer and then leading the Australian ODI team to another ODI World Cup,” Morgan said.

“So recent form and confidence play a big role. It is also a matter of supply and demand. There are quite a few teams looking for leadership roles that can be filled not only as captains, but also in the locker room. So Pat Cummins thoroughly justifies his price tag.”