IPL Auction Highlights: Cameron Green Becomes Third Most Expensive Player

Exciting Start to IPL Auction in Abu Dhabi

The Indian Premier League (IPL) auction held in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday kicked off with great excitement. Australian all-rounder Cameron Green was acquired by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for a staggering ₹25.20 crores, making him the third most expensive player in IPL history and the most costly foreign player ever in the league. The bidding war initially saw fierce competition between Rajasthan Royals and KKR, with the Royals withdrawing at around ₹13 crores. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) also participated, placing bids exceeding ₹20 crores. Ultimately, KKR clinched the auction with their final bid of ₹25.20 crores.

Cameron Green's Impressive Stats

In his T20 international career, Green has played 21 matches, scoring 521 runs at an average of 32.56 and a strike rate of 160.30, including six half-centuries. He has also taken 12 wickets at an average of 23.35. Across 63 T20 matches, he has amassed 1,334 runs at an average of 33.35 and a strike rate of 151.07, featuring one century and seven half-centuries, along with 28 wickets at an average of over 34.

Venkatesh Iyer Joins RCB

On the same day, all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer was signed by the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for ₹7 crores during the IPL mini-auction. His base price was set at ₹2 crores, and the Lucknow Super Giants made the initial bid. After a brief pause, Gujarat Titans also entered the bidding. The auction intensified as Iyer's former team, KKR, joined the fray, but RCB ultimately secured him.

Iyer's IPL Performance

In 56 IPL innings, Iyer has scored 1,468 runs at an average of 29.12 and a strike rate of over 137, including one century and 12 half-centuries. Last year, KKR had bought him back for ₹23.75 crores, but his performance was underwhelming, as he managed only 142 runs in seven innings at an average of just over 20 and a strike rate close to 140, with only one half-century.

Notable Wicketkeeper Signings

The auction also featured prominent wicketkeepers like Quinton de Kock, Jonny Bairstow, Jamie Smith, Finn Allen, and Ben Duckett. However, only three of these players found buyers, all at their base prices. Quinton de Kock made a return to the Mumbai Indians (MI) for ₹1 crore after recently coming out of retirement from international cricket. He has previously played 43 matches for MI, scoring 1,329 runs at an average of 34.08 and a strike rate of 131.32, including 10 half-centuries. The Delhi Capitals acquired Ben Duckett for ₹2 crores, while Finn Allen was also sold at his base price of ₹2 crores to KKR.