IPL Auction: Sam Curran sold to Punjab Kings as most expensive buy in history
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.
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.
“No surprises for Sam Curran. He’s had a fantastic 2022 around the world. He obviously missed last year with his back injury but at 24 years of age, there’s a huge upside to him. He is a competitor and obviously, he’s played for Punjab Kings before so I think he’s a good pick for them,” former Australia all-rounder Simon Katich said on the Star Sports show ‘Cricket Live – Auction Special’
Curran, who played a vital role for England in their T20 World Cup campaign bagged 13 wickets – the second-highest – and was adjudged the Player of the Tournament. Curran, 24, has played 32 matches so far in the IPL and picked 32 wickets to go with scoring 337 runs. Curran, who made his IPL debut three years ago and immediately stood out with 13 wickets and 95 runs with a highest score of an unbeaten 55.
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.