Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant set a new record as the most expensive player in Indian Premier League (IPL) history, selling for a staggering $3.2 million at the 2024 auction in Jeddah on Sunday. The two-day event has seen 577 players up for grabs, with cricket superstars like James Anderson and Rachin Ravindra also in high demand.
Pant’s record-breaking bid by Lucknow Super Giants overtook the previous high of $3.17 million set earlier in the day when Punjab Kings secured Shreyas Iyer, captain of Kolkata Knight Riders’ 2023 title-winning team.
Lucknow owner Shashwat Goenka praised Pant as a game-changer, saying, “Rishabh’s history in the IPL and in cricket is unparalleled. We are thrilled to have him on board.”
Pant’s return to top form after recovering from a car accident last year has made him one of the tournament’s hottest properties.
Sizzling Start to the Auction
The auction kicked off with intense bidding wars. Left-arm quick Arshdeep Singh fetched $2.13 million for Punjab Kings, while Indian all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer was snapped up by Kolkata for $2.81 million, making him the third-highest purchase of the day.
Other big buys included England captain Jos Buttler, who went to Gujarat Titans for $1.87 million, and New Zealand’s Trent Boult, returning to Mumbai Indians for $1.48 million. Afghanistan spinner Noor Ahmad also had a major payday, joining Chennai Super Kings for $1.18 million.
Expanding Global Reach
The Jeddah auction reflects the IPL’s growing global profile. After being held in Dubai last year, this year’s move to Saudi Arabia highlights efforts to expand its international fan base, particularly among the region’s large migrant worker population.
With the IPL contributing over $11 billion annually to the Indian economy, its influence continues to grow. Broadcast rights for the next five seasons were sold for $6.2 billion, underscoring the league’s status as a cornerstone of modern cricket.
Dates for the 2024 IPL season are yet to be announced but are expected to run from March to May.
