Starc, Cummins Earn Record IPL Deals: Netizens Flood Internet With Funny Memes

Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc has become the most expensive player in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL) after Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan-owned Kolkata Knight Riders bought him for Rs 24.75 crore at the auction in Dubai on Tuesday.

The fast bowler ignited a fierce bidding war that stretched on for minutes, initially involving Mumbai Indians (MI) and Delhi Capitals (DC). After their withdrawal, Gujarat Titans and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) engaged in an even more intense bidding war, surpassing the Rs 20.50 crore spent by SRH on Cummins. Eventually, Gujarat Titans withdrew at Rs 24.75 crore, and KKR secured Starc for a record-breaking sum.

"The record created not long back is BROKEN! Most expensive player of all time Pat Cummins Mitchell Starc Mitchell Starc is SOLD to #KKR for INR 24.75 Crore #IPLAuction | #IPL," tweeted IPL's official X (Twitter) handle.

Starc reappeared in the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction after several years, his last appearance being in 2015. With 73 wickets in 58 T20Is, he is a multi-time World Champion with Australia across all formats. Boasting a total of 647 international wickets in 262 matches, Starc is considered one of the premier fast bowlers of the modern era. In his IPL career, he has amassed 34 wickets in 27 matches while playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) from 2014-15.

On the other hand, Sunrisers Hyderabad paid a bomb to Cummins as Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) was acquired for Rs 20.50 crore.

Earlier, Cummins broke the roof as he became the costliest player in the history of the Indian Premier League when he was acquired by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for Rs 20.50 crore on Tuesday at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai.

Priced initially at Rs 2 crore, Cummins drew the interest of Mumbai Indians, initiating their participation in the bidding war. As the bidding escalated, Mumbai Indians eventually withdrew, and Royal Challengers Bangalore joined the fray against CSK. Just as it appeared RCB might secure the player, SRH entered the competition, setting the stage for a high-stakes bidding war in the ensuing moments.

As the two players were paid record prices, the internet added humour to the development with funny memes.