With the ongoing IPL 2024 season, it is worthy enough to note that Rs 230.45 crore was spent in the IPL auction and the fans might be thinking – “Are the expensive players performing as per their pay?”.
The auction saw 333 cricketers go under the hammer. This included 214 Indians and 119 overseas players. But only 72 players secured a contract. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) splurged a whopping Rs 24.75 crore for Australian left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc. He is the most expensive player in IPL 2024.
But to talk about the expensive captains –
Mumbai Indians, owned by Mukesh Ambani, spent Rs 15 crore to acquire Hardik Pandya’s services. Royal Challengers Bangalore bought Australian all-rounder Cameron Green for Rs 17.50 crore but Faf remains the skipper. Hardik Pandya, who led Gujarat Titans to the title in their first season, took over as captain from Rohit Sharma.
Despite the big-money move, Hardik Pandya is not the highest-paid captain in IPL 2024. That title belongs to Pat Cummins. He led the Australian team to a historic World Cup victory in 2023. Cummins has been appointed as the new captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad. He replaces Aiden Markram. The Hyderabad-based franchise owned by Kalanithi Maran of the SUN Group spent Rs 20.50 crore to acquire Cummins’ services. He also surpasses KL Rahul, who earns Rs 17 crore for leading Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya hold the third and fourth spots on the list of highest-paid captains in IPL 2024.
