Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins was picked up for INR 15.5 crore by Kolkata Knight Riders after a bidding war between three teams at the IPL 2020 auction.
The 26-year-old sparked bids from Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Capitals but just when RCB seemed set to secure the quick, KKR entered the contest and increased his price to INR 15.5 cr.
Currently the No.1 ranked Test bowler in the world, the deal made Cummins the most expensive overseas purchase in the history of the IPL. It means he will return to KKR, having played for them in 2014 and 2015.
Cummins played for Delhi Daredevils in 2017 and was signed by Mumbai Indians for the 2018 season, although he didn’t play a single game for them after a back injury ruled him out of the tournament. Cummins has played 16 IPL matches to date and picked up 17 wickets at 29.35.
PAT CUMMINS GOES TO KKR!
He is the most expensive player of the #IPLAuction2020 so far at INR 15.5 crore!
After RCB saw off DC at 14.75 cr, KKR jumped in to pull off a heist!
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) December 19, 2019
Cummins’ compatriot Glenn Maxwell also landed a major deal, with Kings XI Punjab forking out INR 10.75 cr for his services. Maxwell previously played for KXIP from 2014 to 2017, hitting 1186 runs from 52 matches at an average of 25.78.
