Pat Cummins Gets 20 Crore at IPL 2024 Auctions, Jason Gillespie Calls it Massive Overs
On Tuesday night, the wealth of Australian captain Pat Cummins soared as he secured a significant deal with Sunrisers Hyderabad at the IPL 2024 auction. However, there are lingering uncertainties surrounding the franchise’s decision.
Fetching a staggering 20.25 crores rupees, Cummins became one of the highest-paid players in the competition’s history, having played his last three seasons with the Kolkata Knight Riders. Now, he joins Test teammate Travis Head and Australian assistant coach Dan Vettori at a new powerhouse franchise.
While universally praised for the blockbuster contract, former Aussie quick and current Adelaide Strikers coach Jason Gillespie questions whether the price aligns with Cummins’ T20 performance, suggesting Test cricket is his forte.
Gillespie emphasized, “Pat’s undoubtedly a quality bowler and leader, but I believe T20 isn’t his optimal format. Test cricket is where he truly excels.”
“I think he’s a Test bowler, personally. I think Test cricket is his absolute bread and butter. He’s a good T20 bowler, make no mistake – but that’s massive overs for me.”
Cummins boasts a solid T20 international record, accumulating 55 wickets in 50 appearances with an average of 24.54 and an economy of 7.37, consistent with his domestic and franchise performances.
His performance in IPL hasn’t been quite successful in terms of bowling but as his name was given as an all-rounder which means, there will be a bigger role to play for him at Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2024.
READ MORE: IPL 2024 Auction: KKR signs Mitchell Starc for 24.75 Crore
Despite initially holding the highest IPL bid, Cummins was surpassed by Mitchell Starc on the same night, securing a 24 crore deal with Kolkata. Starc, considered Australia’s top white-ball seamer, returns to the IPL after an eight-year hiatus.
Gillespie expressed satisfaction with Starc’s acquisition, acknowledging the significant investment in the IPL. “I think he’s a great buy,” Gillespie said.
“It’s a lot of money, we all acknowledge that, but the IPL is a very rich tournament … I’m absolutely delighted for Mitch.
“I think it just highlights how important teams value left-arm fast bowling and left-arm swing bowling at pace.”
READ MORE: Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL 2024 Full Squad: Sunrisers Hyderabad Players List
While Pat Cummmins will join Travis Head at Sunrisers Hyderabad, it will be interesting to see how SRH creates their playing XI for IPL 2024. Travis Head, Pat Cummmins, Aiden Markram and Heinrich Klaasen will mean leaving out Wanindu Hasaranga, Glenn Phillips and Marco Jansen.
Australians had a great day at IPL 2024 auction table with another seven-figure contract secured by rising star Spencer Johnson with Gujarat Titans. Johnson joins the ranks of lucrative left-arm pacemen in the IPL.
