IPL Auction: Sam Curran shatters record to become most expensive buy in history, goes to Punjab Kings for ₹18.5 crore

Sam Curran, the England all-rounder, emerged as the costliest buy in the history of the Indian Premier League when he was sold to Punjab Kings at the IPL 2023 Auction for a gobsmacking amount of ₹18.5 crore.

Sam Curran, the England all-rounder, emerged as the costliest buy in the history of the Indian Premier League when he was sold to Punjab Kings at the IPL 2023 Auction for a gobsmacking amount of ₹18.5 crore. Curran, who made his IPL debut with PBKS back in 2019, broke the record which was previously held by South Africa all-rounder Chris Morris, on whom the Rajasthan Royals had spent ₹16.5 crore at the IPL 2021 auction. Curran, expected to headline the second set of players – capped all-rounders – lived up to the hype, and was joined by Australia's Cameron Green and England Test captain Ben Stokes as the three most expensive players ever.

England's Sam Curran created history at the IPL 2023 Auction in Kochi on Friday(AP)

Curran, with a base price of ₹2 crore ignited a bidding war in no time. Within 10 seconds, his price had gone up to ₹9 crore with Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore having a go at it. When the price breached the 10-crore mark, MI pulled off and Rajasthan Royals joined the race, which was bettered by Curran's previous franchise Chennai Super Kings entering the fray. CSK attempted a bid of ₹11 crore and from there on, battled PBKS until the jackpot expanded to ₹15.25 crore. Within touching distance of overtaking Morris, MI entered the competition again but PBKS did not back out. Despite the bid reaching ₹18 crore, the Kings kept pushing the envelope. Eventually, PBKS shoved MI out with one final raise of the paddle.

The following year in 2020, Curran bettered his wicket-tally with 13 scalps but it was his batting that made heads turn. Enjoying a top-order promotion, Curran scored 186 runs with a half-century even as CSK failed to qualify for the Playoffs. IPL 2021 was a difficult year for Curran as the England all-rounder picked up just nine wickets and his batting didn't impress either with 56 runs. Released from the squad as part of the revamp, Curran opted out of the IPL 2022 mega-auction to focus on rehab.

Former Australia captain Aaron Finch, who has represented nine different franchises in the IPL, pointed out the key areas where Curran trumps fellow all-rounders Green and Stokes - who were picked by MI and CSK respectively. "I think the only separation between Sam Curran, Ben Stokes and Cameron Green is Sam Curran's ability to bowl in the last five overs. His record has been unbelievable. So, that probably gives him the nod if you're going down the road of a bowling all-rounder," he said.