KKR buys Cummins for ₹15.50 crore, most expensive foreign buy

After intense bidding, Kolkata Knight Riders bought Australian pacer Pat Cummins for ₹15.50 crore in the auction of 13th edition of the Indian Premier League on Thursday (December 19).

Cummins shattered the record for the most expensive foreign buy ever in the IPL players auction in Kolkata to join the home team while Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore were engaged in an intense bidding war.

? Hear what @patcummins30 has to say about returning home to KKR ?#IPLAuction #KorboLorboJeetbo #IPL2020 #PatCummins pic.twitter.com/abULyraWZE

— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) December 19, 2019

The Australian, who has taken 32 wickets in 25 IPL matches so far with an economy of just over 6, broke the record held by Ben Stokes bought in 2017 auction by Rising Pune Supergiant for Rs 14.5 crore.

Cummins compatriot, swashbuckling all-rounder Glenn Maxwell went to Kings XI Punjab for Rs 10.75 crore after. Another big buy was South African Chris Morris, who was sold for Rs 10 crore to Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Earlier, England’s World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan made big money in the early part of the auctions, going to Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs 5.25 crore.

? Message from @Eoin16 on joining KKR! ?

We're delighted to have you back as well, Eoin! ?#KnightRiders, describe your current mood using an emoji! ?#IPLAuction #KorboLorboJeetbo #IPL2020 pic.twitter.com/cTxtGR7rJB

— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) December 19, 2019

Australia’s limited-overs captain Aaron Finch went for Rs 4.4 crore to Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Also read: IPL Auction 2020: 332 players to go under the hammer

Australia’s big-hitting all-rounder Chris Lynn was bought for his base price of Rs 2 crore by defending champions Mumbai Indians.

The seasoned Robin Uthappa was bagged by inaugural edition winners Rajasthan Royals for Rs 3 crore, but the Indian Test specialist duo of Cheteshwar Pujara and Hanuma Vihara went unsold.

A total of 338 players are going under the hammer at the auction.

(With inputs from agencies)