IPL Auction: Starc and Cummins Admit to Being "Overpaid"

The Indian Premier League (IPL) auction of 2024 witnessed unprecedented bidding wars, with Australian pacers Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc fetching record-breaking sums. SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) acquired Cummins for Rs 20.5 crore, while Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) outbid them with a staggering Rs 24.75 crore for Starc.

While some fans and experts questioned the astronomical prices, both players justified their worth with exceptional performances. Starc, despite a relatively quiet group stage, delivered match-winning spells in the Qualifier 1 and final. Cummins, as SRH captain, led his team to the final, where they narrowly lost to Starc's KKR.

However, in a recent interview, Starc admitted that he and Cummins were "a bit overpaid." He revealed that they had a laugh about it, saying, "We played the first game and nine weeks later we play again in finals. Suddenly it goes from 2 overpaid guys to these 2 are playing the final."

Despite their high price tags, Starc and Cummins proved their value on the field. Their performances highlighted the importance of quality fast bowling in T20 cricket. However, former Australian pacer Brett Lee believes that India's Jasprit Bumrah is currently the best bowler across all formats.

Lee praised Bumrah's pace, swing, and leadership abilities. He said, "He is the best bowler in all formats right now and leads the attack. Bumrah can keep up an amazing pace while shaping the new ball away. His tournament performance demonstrated his leadership abilities, taking about 15 wickets with remarkable economy. He is absolutely exceptional, and India is deserving of praise for their accomplishments."

The IPL auction and the subsequent performances of Starc, Cummins, and Bumrah have sparked discussions about the value of fast bowlers in modern cricket. While high prices may raise eyebrows, the impact of these bowlers on their teams' success cannot be denied.

Tags: #IPL, #IPLAuction, #PatCummins, #MitchellStarc, #SunRisersHyderabad