KKR's 'SRK' Tribute To Mitchell Starc As Massive IPL 2024 Auction Price Breaks Internet

Australian cricket team fast bowler Mitchell Starc became the most expensive player ever in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL) as he was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for a massive price of Rs 24.75 crore. Compatriot Pat Cummins broke the record first after he was picked by Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 20.50 but it was short-lived. KKR were involved in an intense bidding war with Gujarat Titans but it was the two-time champions who finally got the deal done. Social media users were left completely stunned by the record-breaking bid from KKR and the official handle of the franchise came up with a special 'Iron Man' tribute for the veteran Australia pacer. They also released a brilliant video for their new signing featuring a special touch of owner Shah Rukh Khan.

We won, Mr. Starc! pic.twitter.com/twJ3VmCPDl

— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) December 19, 2023

The pacer started an insane bidding war that lasted for minutes, with Mumbai Indians (MI) and Delhi Capitals (DC) locking horns first. Once they backed out, Gujarat Titans and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) went ahead with an even bigger bidding war, crossing the Rs 20.50 crore spent by SRH on Cummins. Eventually, GT backed out at Rs 24.75 crore and KKR got Starc for a record-breaking prize.

— australian womens cricket with very little context (@awcwvlc) December 19, 2023

"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.

Cummins and Starc in Australian Dressing Room. pic.twitter.com/lHRzzXgzL5

— Cricketopia (@CricketopiaCom) December 19, 2023

Starc made his return to the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction after years, having last played in 2015. He has taken 73 wickets in 58 T20Is and is a multi-time World Champion with Australia across all formats. With 647 international wickets in 262 matches, he is among the best fast bowlers of the modern era.

Reaction by BBL commentators when Starc got 24.75 crores in auction. pic.twitter.com/tWNOmxbROm

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 19, 2023

In his IPL career, Starc has 34 wickets to his name in 27 matches he played for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) from 2014-15.

All of us right now pic.twitter.com/Yb4G3urtvS

— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) December 19, 2023

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.

With a base price of Rs 2 crore, Cummins attracted the attention of Mumbai Indians who entered the bidding war for the first time. As the price continued to rise, MI backed while Royal Challengers Bangalore joined the bidding war against CSK. When it seemed RCB would walk away with the players SRH entered the battle, and a high-bidding war unfolded in the next moments.

As he touched the 20 crore mark, the entire arena cheered and applauded. RCB eventually gave up and SRH acquired the services of the Australian World Cup-winning skipper for Rs 20.50 crore and Cummins became the most expensive player in the history of the IPL.

Earlier, Sam Curran held the record with a price tag of Rs 18.50 crore. He was sold to Punjab Kings back in 2022.

(With ANI inputs)