AB de Villiers Raises Eyebrows Over Starc, Cummins IPL Auction Bids

• De Villiers questions KKR, SRH picks: Starc (₹24.75 cr), Cummins (₹20.50 cr).
• Emphasizes smart buys, lauds Mumbai Indians, CSK strategies.
• Starc, Cummins’ record prices spark IPL auction strategy talk.

AB de Villiers expressed his skepticism regarding the substantial auction bids for Australian fast bowlers Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The duo made headlines by securing deals worth ₹24.75 crore and ₹20.50 crore, respectively, making them the two most expensive purchases in IPL history.

De Villiers questioned the decision-making of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in acquiring Starc and Cummins, suggesting that Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, known for their consistent success in the IPL, demonstrated greater astuteness in the auction process. He emphasized the importance of smart buys over emotional decisions in building successful IPL squads.

During the IPL 2024 auction in Dubai on November 19, Mitchell Starc became the costliest player ever in the tournament’s history after an intense bidding war between KKR and Gujrat Titans (GT), with KKR emerging victorious. This marked the first time the 20-crore barrier was broken in an IPL auction. Meanwhile, Cummins, the 2023 World Cup-winning captain, was eventually signed by SRH for INR 20.5 crore after a fierce bidding battle involving Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), and Hyderabad.

De Villiers attributed the exorbitant prices to the high demand for fast bowlers during the auction, acknowledging the incredible skills of Starc and Cummins but expressing reservations about the hefty price tags associated with their acquisitions.

As the cricketing community continues to analyze and discuss the implications of these record-breaking IPL auction deals, the 2024 season is already shaping up to be a captivating chapter in the tournament’s history.

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