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Cameron Green has become the most expensive Australian ever bought at the IPL auction.
The talented all-rounder, who is yet to establish himself in Australia’s international limited-overs teams despite showing enormous potential, was snapped up by the Mumbai Indians for a cool $3.15 million AUD.
Green breaks Test captain Pat Cummins’ previous record for the highest-earning Aussie, with Royal Challengers Bangalore and the Delhi Capitals entering a bidding frenzy for the Western Australian’s services, which started at just $360,000.
Cummins earned $3.16 million AUD after being taken by the Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2019 auction; however, Green’s price was higher in India rupees – 17.5 crore (one crore is worth 10 million rupees) compared to 15.5.
The Test skipper will also miss this year’s IPL due to a packed international schedule that includes an away Ashes and ODI World Cup in India, releasing him from his more modest $1.35 million Knight Riders contract for 2023.
“I’m pinching myself that this has all happened,” Green said in a statement released by Cricket Australia.
“It’s such a weird feeling watching an auction for yourself. I can’t believe how nervous I was and I was shaking like anything when the final call was confirmed.
“I’ve always been a huge fan of the IPL and it’s going to be so cool to be a part of it.
“The Mumbai Indians are one of the powerhouses of the competition so I feel very humbled to be joining them. I can’t wait to get there next year.”
However, Green wasn’t even the highest buy of the night, with England all-rounder and T20 World Cup player of the tournament Sam Curran bought for $3.3 million by the Punjab Kings – the most expensive signing ever.
Green’s price was even higher than England captain and limited-overs hero Ben Stokes, who was taken by Chennai Super Kings for $2.93 million.
It was a mixed result for other Australians in the first stage of the auction – Jhye Richardson will join Green at the Indians for roughly $270,000, while Adam Zampa and speed demon Lance Morris went unsold. Zampa, however, was taken later in the auction by Rajasthan Royals, also for $270,000.
Daniel Sams was the only other Australian signed, becoming a Lucknow Super Giant for $135,000, with Travis Head and Riley Meredith joining Morris in going unsold.
England superstar Joe Root was also passed over only to be snaffled from the bargain bin by the Royals, while in a sign of the times, young gun Harry Brook – whose dynamic batting earned him player of the series honours in their recent 3-0 Test series win over Pakistan – was signed by Sunrisers Hyderabad for $2.38 million, making him the most expensive specialist batter ever sold at auction.
Among the other signings, New Zealand champion Kane Williamson attracted a sole bid from the Gujarat Titans, joining the franchise for roughly $360,000.
Josh Philippe, Chris Lynn, D’Arcy Short and BBL cult hero Peter Hatzoglou are among a host of other Australians yet to be auctioned.
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