The China Mail - Australia's Green becomes most expensive overseas buy in IPL history

Green was in the first set of players in the auction in Abu Dhabi and his name triggered a bidding war with former champions Kolkata Knight Riders finally signing him for next season for 252 million rupees ($2.77 million).

In rupees, Green surpassed the previous overseas record of 247.5 million rupees paid by Kolkata in the 2024 auction for Mitchell Starc.

The fall of the rupee means Starc's 2024 price was higher in dollars at $2.98 million.

Three-time winners Kolkata also acquired Sri Lankan speedster Matheesha Pathirana for 180 million rupees.

England's Liam Livingstone went to Sunrisers Hyderabad for 130 million rupees in the accelerated round after he went unsold in the first phase.

Green has a capped salary of 180 million rupees due to a new "maximum fee" rule, with the remainder going to the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

"Very happy, something we were focused on and hoping. Happy with the price with which we got him," Kolkata chief executive Venky Mysore told reporters.

"He adds a lot to our team, especially with our new power coach Andre Russell. Very nice to have a young all-rounder. We know what he does with bat and ball."

- Jackpot for uncapped Indians -

Green, 26, becomes the third most expensive player in the IPL, after India's Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer.

He has scored 707 runs in 29 IPL matches for five-time winners Mumbai Indians and defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

He missed the 2025 edition with a back injury but is currently playing in the Ashes against England.

Five-time champions Chennai Super Kings made a splash with when they bought uncapped Indians Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma for 142 million rupees each.

The duo's value jumped from their base price of 3 million rupees to become joint-holders of the record for costliest uncapped players in IPL.

Another uncapped Indian Auqib Nabi -- an up and coming fast bowler from Indian-administered Kashmir -- went for 28 times over his base price for 84 million rupees to Delhi Capitals.

Delhi got lucky landing explosive South African batter David Miller for his base price of 20 million.

"At that price it's an absolute steal for Delhi Capitals," India's spin great Anil Kumble said on JioStar. "Overall, it's a genius move by Delhi Capitals to add experience -- something they were missing last season."

Mumbai brought wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock for the 10 million rupees the South African had picked as his base price.

Australian Jake Fraser-McGurk, England's Jonny Bairstow and New Zealand batter Devon Conway went unsold.

The business value of the world's richest cricket tournament was estimated earlier this year at $18.5 billion, by US investment bank Houlihan Lokey.

The 19th edition of the IPL begins on March 26.

R.Lin--ThChM