- Shamser Khalid
Sam Curran Gives Hilarious Take on the IPL 2023 Auction
With the IPL (Indian Premier League) auction starting on Friday, England all-rounder Sam Curran is hoping to get a good deal and even gave some hilarious comments on the event. Being in the same “bracket” as the likes of Ben Stokes and a few others, though, Curran know his chances at a good deal may not be as high.
Curran’s base price is Rs 2 crore and he is poised to multiply his earnings in the auction. In one interview, the player said, “I was (also) present at previous auctions; You go in with your base price. I will follow (the auction) on TV. On Friday morning I think when your name comes up just say ‘hold that paddle up there.'”
In the pre-IPL 2019 auctions, the all-rounder was picked up by Punjab Kings for a staggering Rs 7.2 crore – the third highest bid at the time. The highest bid in auction history was made in 2021 when Rajasthan Royals shelled out Rs 16.25 crore for Chris Morris’ services.
After the Punjab Kings made him an IPL millionaire, Curran was eventually sold to Chennai Super Kings for Rs 5.5 crore. When he was recovering from a back injury during the 2022 season, his base price was set at Rs 2 crore.
With four-time IPL champion CSK looking to rebuild after finishing ninth in the 2022 IPL since Dwayne Bravo retired, they may target Curran again. This is because the England player has performed well for the group in the past and would be well-suited for them.
The IPL auction will be taking place in Kochi rather than the usual Bengaluru. The all-rounders have been listed in the second set to come up for bidding and all-rounders like Stokes and Australian Cameron Green are expected to make bring in plenty of money as several teams hope to bid big on them.
This is because Stokes has made a name for himself as a player that delivers in the toughest of situations. Another player expected to have high bids is Harry Brook who made himself known in the Test format with three centuries against Pakistan after already proving his worth in the shorter formats.
After the England VS Pakistan match in the test series, Curran had a few comments on the players. “It was crazy. Having played under (Test skipper) Stokes and (head coach) Brendon McCullum in the past, the way they play is amazing. It (winning streak) started in the summer and the best part, I think there were some injuries and guys like Jonny (Bairstow) who probably started it (win streak) and came out and gave that confidence, he missed it (due to an unusual injury)” he said.
He also showed awe at how Harry Brook, who he called “Brooky”, came in and got three centuries. Another big name that will be in the auction is New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson. He was released by Sunrisers Hyderabad alongside West Indian Nicholas Pooran and has set a base price of Rs 2 crore.
