IPL Auction 2024: SRH Looked Desperate For Pat Cummins, Says Indian Spin Legend

Former India captain and spin legend Anil Kumble said Sunrisers Hyderabad looked desperate in the hunt for a captain as they roped in Pat Cummins for a record-breaking amount of Rs 20.50 crore at the IPL Auction 2024 in Dubai on Tuesday (December 19).

Pat Cummins, who led Australia to their sixth ODI World Cup title this year, became the first player to fetch more than Rs 20 crore at an IPL Auction 2024 as SRH was involved in a bidding war with Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings.

"That's a really high price. Rs 20 crores wasn't expected. We knew he'd go for a higher price but Rs 20 crore, it's created a record," Kumble, also a former India coach, told JioCinema. "SRH is perhaps looking for a captain and that could be the reason why we see the desperation to get in."

"Perhaps RCB were also looking at a long-term captain. Good luck to Pat Cummins. Three trophies, but this would probably take the icing on the cake."

Eoin Morgan, the captain of England that won the World Cup, believes that Cummins attracted the huge sum due to his recent exploits as a team leader in Australia.

"The player that Pat Cummins is and considering the last year-and-a-half that he has had, both with leadership and as a bowler with the World Test Championship winning side, retaining the Ashes in England during the English summer and then leading the Australian ODI team to another ODI World Cup," Morgan said.

"So, recent form and confidence is a huge contributing factor. It's also a demand-supply issue. There are quite a few teams looking for leadership roles to be fulfilled not only as captain but also in the changing room. So Pat Cummins thoroughly justifies his price tag."

Cummins' compatriot Mitchell Starc later became the most expensive player at the IPL Auction 2024 as Kolkata Knight Riders splashed Rs 24.75 crore on him.