World reacts to Pat Cummins’ crazy IPL pay day
Australia’s Pat Cummins has become the most expensive overseas buy ever in the Indian Premier League after the Kolkata Knight Riders paid a staggering $3.1 million for the fast bowler at auction.
The 26-year-old who ranked No. 1 in Tests was the subject of an intense bidding battle between the Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and the Delhi Capitals on Thursday before Kolkata swept in to have him play for them in the 2020 tournament.
Cummins has previously played for Kolkata in 2014 and 2015 and last played in the tournament in 2017 for Delhi. The Mumbai Indians nabbed him the following year, but he was unable to play due to a back injury.
“Absolutely pumped to be back on board,” said Cummins. “It’s where I played my first couple of years. Can’t wait to work with Baz McCullum, Eoin Morgan, back with Andre Russell, Sunil Narine – can’t wait to get over there.”
Before Cummins, England all-rounder Ben Stokes was the most expensive overseas player with Pune paying $3 million in 2017, while India’s Yuvraj Singh had the highest bid for a home-based cricketer at $3.2 million in 2015 from Delhi.
Knight Riders coach Brendon McCullum was thrilled to have Cummins on his team which also includes England’s World Cup-winning skipper Eoin Morgan.
“Two outstanding gentlemen will return to Kolkata Knight Riders! Eoin Morgan with his power middle order game and outstanding leadership help for Dinesh Karthik and one of the game’s premier fast bowlers Pat Cummins who I feel was the best player on offer for this year’s IPL auction. Welcome boys!”
But some people questioned the decision, saying Kolkata had overpaid for a player who might not score as heavily as an all-rounder like Stokes.
Most bids were expected barring KKR paying so high for Pat Cummins. I think he does not offer much with the bat and needs to be on the money bowling in the Death at EDEN. They have Lockie and Gurney. Interesting selection. RCB have started well. #IPLAuction2020
— Gaurav Sundararaman (@gaurav_sundar) 19 December 2019
WHAT WAS THAT? How fierce was that bid? @patcummins30 is sold to @KKRiders for 15.5Cr #IPLAuction 👏👏
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) 19 December 2019
A total of 62 players were sold at the auction for the 13th edition of the world’s leading T20 competition.