IPL auction 2024: CSK bought Daryl Mitchell for 14 crores, Spencer, who played two T-20s

IPL auction 2024: CSK bought Daryl Mitchell for 14 crores, and Spencer, who played two T-20s, was sold for 10 crores.

The mini-auction of the 17th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) took place in Dubai on Tuesday. 10 teams bought 72 players for Rs 230.45 crore, including 30 foreigners. Australian pacer Mitchell Starc was bought by Kolkata for Rs 24.75 crore. Whereas, Pat Cummins was sold for Rs 20.50.

Meanwhile, New Zealand batsman Daryl Mitchell became the third most expensive player in this auction. He was bought by Chennai Super Kings for Rs 14 crore. Former Australia captain Steve Smith remained unsold. Whereas, Spencer Johnson, who played only 2 T20s for Australia, joined Gujarat for Rs 10 crores.

1. Rachin Ravindra: Bidding was lower than expected

New Zealand's left hand batting all-rounder Rachin Ravindra was bought cheaply by CSK in the auction. Rachin's name was in set-2 of the auction. The Kiwi all-rounder had kept his base price at just Rs 50 lakh. It was expected that Rachin would be the most expensive seller in the auction, but Chennai included him in their team for just Rs 1.6 crore.

Rachin impressed everyone in the ODI World Cup. He scored 578 runs with the help of 3 centuries. 24-year-old Rachin scored a lot of runs against both spin and pace in India at an average of 64.22. Along with batting in the top order, Rachin also bowls left arm spin.

Rachin has scored 145 runs for New Zealand in 18 T20 Internationals at a strike rate of around 118. He will enter the IPL auction for the first time. In 53 matches of his T-20 career, he has scored runs at a strike rate of around 123.

2. Daryl Mitchell: Played only 2 matches in the first season, sold for Rs 14 crore this year

New Zealand's batting all-rounder Daryl Mitchell's name is included in the auction among the four players who have crossed the Rs 10 crore mark. Chennai Super Kings included this Kiwi all-rounder for Rs 14 crore. This will be Mitchell's second season. In 2022, he played his first season with Rajasthan Royals. This season he got a chance to play only 2 matches. He remained unsold in the IPL 2023 mini-auction.

Chennai Super Kings, with Mitchell's entry, has filled the void created by the retirement of their experienced middle order batsman Ambati Rayudu after winning the IPL 2023 trophy. Mitchell's ability to bat in multiple gears and his skills against spin will help CSK.

3. Vanindu Hasaranga: Sold for Rs 10 crore last season, sold at base price this year

Sri Lankan spin bowling all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga is the number-3 bowler in the T20 rankings. Last season, Punjab and Hyderabad also had a bidding war for him and he was sold for Rs 10.75 crore. This season he found only one buyer. Hyderabad included him in the team for the base price of Rs 1.5 crore.

Hasaranga is a world class leg spinner and also bats in the lower order. He has 91 wickets and 533 runs in 58 T20 matches for Sri Lanka. He has 35 wickets in his name in the total 26 IPL matches played so far.

4. Lockie Ferguson: World-class pacer, unsold in first round, then sold at base price

New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson did not find any buyer in this auction at first, but in the second round he was sold at the base price itself. RCB bought him for the base price of Rs 2 crore.

This was shocking because KKR had bought him for Rs 10 crore last season. Ferguson's name was in set-4 of the auction.

Ferguson, who bowls cross seam with speed and bouncers, has the ability to take wickets in the middle and death overs. Ferguson has taken 44 wickets in 33 T20 International matches for New Zealand. He has 37 wickets in his name in 38 IPL matches. Ferguson has 99 wickets in 65 ODI matches.

5. Spencer Johnson: Experience of only 2 T20 International matches

Spencer Johnson is one of the biggest surprises of this auction. Gujarat Titans included the left-arm Australian fast bowler in their team for Rs 10 crore. Spencer rose to fame in The Hundred League where he took 3 wickets for one run in a spell of 4 overs in a match.

Johnson is a Brisbane Heat player in the Big Bash League. In T-20 cricket, Spencer Johnson has so far taken 17 wickets in 20 innings at an average of 30.23 and an economy rate of 7.84. He also played for the Los Angeles Knight Riders in the Major Cricket League (MLC).

Johnson made his T20 International debut during Australia's tour of South Africa in August-September this year and took two wickets in two matches. He also took part in an ODI match against India in September 2023 but failed to make an impact.