KKR Invests Big in Green and Pathirana While Uncapped Prashant Veer Joins CSK for Rs 14.20 Crore
The Indian Premier League (IPL) recently witnessed a historic auction event, revealing significant investments by teams in new players. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) made headlines by securing Australian all-rounder Cameron Green for a staggering Rs 25.20 crore. This acquisition made Green the most expensive overseas player in the history of IPL auctions, surpassing Mitchell Starc’s previous record of Rs 24.75 crore.
KKR’s Strategic Acquisitions
KKR did not stop with Green. The franchise also successfully bid Rs 18 crore for Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana. This marked Pathirana as the highest-paid Sri Lankan player ever in an IPL auction. The intense bidding war saw KKR competing against other franchises before they secured both players.
Highlights from the Mini Auction
- Cameron Green: Acquired for Rs 25.20 crore, highest overseas player.
- Matheesha Pathirana: Acquired for Rs 18 crore, most expensive Sri Lankan.
- Prashant Veer: Joined Chennai Super Kings for Rs 14.20 crore, highest-paid uncapped player.
- Auqib Nabi Dar: Sold to Delhi Capitals for Rs 8.40 crore, impressive earnings.
Uncapped players also garnered attention during the auction. Prashant Veer, a 20-year-old left-arm spinner from Uttar Pradesh, became the highest-paid uncapped player, moving to Chennai Super Kings for Rs 14.20 crore after beginning with a base price of Rs 30 lakh.
Notable Outcomes
Despite strong performances in domestic cricket, renowned players like Prithvi Shaw and Sarfaraz Khan went unsold. Shaw had shown excellent form, but did not attract bids in the auction. In contrast, other players saw successful bids, including South African David Miller, who returned to Delhi Capitals for Rs 2 crore. Notably, Quinton de Kock rejoined Mumbai Indians for a base price of Rs 1 crore.
This auction featured 359 players, with a mix of 246 Indian players and 113 overseas talents. Teams aimed to fill up to 77 roster spots, including 31 allocated for foreign players. The intense nature of the bidding highlighted the growing financial muscle of franchises within the IPL.
Overall, the IPL auction set a new standard for player valuations, showcasing the trend towards lucrative investments in talent development and team enhancement as franchises prepare for the upcoming season.
