IPL 2019 Auction: Sam Curran gets big bucks, goes to Kings XI Punjab for Rs 7.2 crore

Sam Curran, who had played a massive role in England’s 4-1 win over India in the recent Test series, went for big bucks in the 2019 Indian Premier League auctions. With a base price of Rs 2 crore, Curran was picked by Kings XI Punjab for Rs 7.2 crore after a fierce bidding war with Royal Challengers Bangalore. The England all-rounder had confirmed that he would be available for the entire length of the Indian Premier League and he was expected to get in big numbers as the auction approached. 

Curran was named the Player of the series during the India Tests in which his vital contributions lower down the order proved to be match-turning for Joe Root’s side. He smashed two fifties and shared crucial partnerships with the tail as he ended with a batting average of 62. With the ball, he picked up 11 wickets, including a haul of 4/74 as he ended with an average of 23.54. Even in the series against Sri Lanka, his big-hitting in the match in Pallekele changed the course of the match as England achieved a historic 3-0 whitewash over Sri Lanka. 

His big-hitting has also grabbed the attention of the franchisees, having hit 14 sixes in just seven Tests. Along with Curran, there was another player who reaped massive rewards in the IPL 2019 Auction. Colin Ingram, South Africa’s left-handed batsman who is now a Kolpak player for Glamorgan, was picked by Delhi Capitals for Rs 6.4 crore. Ingram has been in sensational form in the England Twenty20 circuit and has also displayed his class in the Pakistan Super League and in the recently concluded T10 tournament in Sharjah playing for the Pakhtoons. 

Kings XI Punjab have secured massive buys in both the Indian and overseas players in this auction. Varun Chakaravarthy, the Tamil Nadu mystery spinner, was picked by the franchise for Rs 8.4 crore while Curran is the most expensive foreign buy with Rs 7.2 crore.