The Auction of IPL 2024 took place in Dubai on 19^th December. It was a day of big spending and record-breaking bids. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) made headlines by splashing out a massive INR 24.75 crore to secure the talented Australian fast bowler, Mitchell Starc. He already arrived at the team’s camp in preparation for the IPL 2024 season on March 17th.

This bid set a new record for the highest amount ever spent on a player in IPL auction history. Not to be outdone, Sunrisers Hyderabad secured the services of Australian captain Pat Cummins for Rs 20.5 crore. This bid initially set a new record until Starc’s deal surpassed it just an hour later.

Here’s the list of the top earners for each IPL team in the 2024 season:

1. Kolkata Knight Riders – Mitchell Starc: Australian cricketer Mitchell Starc leads the pack, raking in a whopping 247.5 million rupees ($2.98 million) as the highest-paid player in the IPL this year.
2. Sunrisers Hyderabad – Pat Cummins: Pat Cummins from Australia clinches the second spot, securing a hefty contract of 205 million rupees ($2.46 million) with Sunrisers Hyderabad.
3. Punjab Kings – Sam Curran: Sam Curran, a key player for Punjab Kings, sits comfortably in third place, pocketing an impressive 185 million rupees ($2.22 million) for his efforts on the field.
4. Royal Challengers Bangalore – Cameron Green: Representing Royal Challengers Bangalore, Cameron Green takes the fourth spot with a substantial contract worth 175 million rupees ($2.1 million).
5. Lucknow Super Giants – KL Rahul: Leading Lucknow Super Giants, KL Rahul grabs the fifth position with a lucrative deal of 170 million rupees ($2 million).
6. Chennai Super Kings – Ravindra Jadeja: Star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja of Chennai Super Kings claims the sixth position with a contract valued at 160 million rupees ($1.92 million).
7. Mumbai Indians – Rohit Sharma: Mumbai Indians’ captain, Rohit Sharma, ties with Jadeja at the sixth spot, also earning 160 million rupees ($1.92 million).
8. Delhi Capitals – Rishabh Pant: Wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant of Delhi Capitals matches the earnings of Jadeja and Sharma, standing at 160 million rupees ($1.92 million).
9. Gujarat Titans – Rashid Khan: Gujarat Titans’ star spinner, Rashid Khan, secures the ninth spot with a contract worth 150 million rupees ($1.8 million).
10. Rajasthan Royals – Sanju Samson: Wrapping up the top ten, Sanju Samson of Rajasthan Royals earns 140 million rupees ($1.68 million) in the IPL 2024 season.

IPL players making headlines

In the IPL auction of 2023, Sam Curran became the talk of the town when Punjab Kings signed him for a whopping Rs 18.50 crore, marking the highest bid in IPL history at that time. However, this record was soon surpassed by Kolkata Knight Riders’ acquisition of Mitchell Starc in the latest auction.

Cameron Green also made waves in 2023 when Mumbai Indians secured him for an impressive sum of Rs 17.50 crore. Despite his solid performances for the five-time champions, he recently moved to Royal Challengers Bangalore as Mumbai Indians needed to make space in their budget to bring in Hardik Pandya from Gujarat Titans.