As the Indian Premier League (IPL) gears up for another thrilling season, franchises are meticulously crafting their game plans to clinch the championship title. The recent IPL auction, as reported by the Hindustan Times, witnessed an extravagant spending spree with franchises collectively shelling out a staggering Rs 230.45 crore.
Amidst the frenzy, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), owned by Shah Rukh Khan, made headlines by splurging a record Rs 24.75 crore to acquire the services of Australian left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc, securing the title of the priciest player in IPL 2024.
Ahead of the auction, strategic maneuvers by franchises like Mumbai Indians (MI) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) further intensified the competition. Mukesh Ambani’s MI secured Hardik Pandya for Rs 15 crore, while RCB invested Rs 17.50 crore in Australian all-rounder Cameron Green.
Pandya, freshly appointed captain after leading Gujarat Titans to victory in their debut season, grabbed attention with his significant transfer, albeit not claiming the title of the highest-paid captain for IPL 2024. Surprisingly, the mantle doesn’t rest with KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, or MS Dhoni. Keep reading to discover who holds this prestigious position.
Pat Cummins, hailed for leading Australia to a historic World Cup triumph in 2023, now assumes the captaincy role for Sunrisers Hyderabad, replacing Aiden Markram. In a move that turned heads, Cummins emerged not only as the new skipper but also as the highest-paid captain for IPL 2024.
Under the ownership of Kalanithi Maran’s SUN Group, Sunrisers Hyderabad secured Cummins’ services for a whopping Rs 20.50 crore. The Australian cricketer’s exceptional leadership during the 2023 World Cup impressed many, elevating him above competitors like KL Rahul, who commands Rs 17 crore while leading the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya trail behind, securing the third and fourth spots respectively on the list of IPL 2024’s highest-paid captains.
In a recent development, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) unveiled the schedule for the first 21 matches of IPL 2024. The tournament kicks off on March 22 in Chennai, featuring a face-off between Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore. Subsequent match dates await confirmation pending the finalization of the upcoming general election schedule.
