The IPL 2024 auction has set the stage for intense bidding wars and surprising twists. Among the notable transactions, Punjab Kings emerged as major players, securing the services of two impactful players – Harshal Patel and Chris Woakes. Harshal Patel, the out-of-favor Indian pacer, commanded an impressive 11.75 crores, while English all-rounder Chris Woakes joined the squad for 4.2 crores. Let’s delve into the details of these significant signings.
Harshal Patel, who set his base price at 2 crores, became one of the auction’s marquee players as the bidding war unfolded. The 2022 IPL champions, Gujarat Titans, initiated the bidding, signaling early interest in the right-arm pacer. The price quickly surged past 5 crores as franchises fiercely competed for Patel’s services. The battle reached its zenith, with the bidding surpassing the 10 crores mark, eventually concluding at an eye-watering 11.75 crores. Patel became the second player in the ongoing auction to breach the 10-crore milestone, following Pat Cummins, who secured a historic 20.50 crores deal with Sunrisers Hyderabad.
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Harshal Patel’s IPL journey has been a rollercoaster ride. Starting with Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2012, he moved to Delhi Capitals in 2018. The 2021 season proved pivotal, as he reaped rewards for RCB, claiming a record-equaling 32 wickets and donning the Purple Cap. Despite being released, he returned to RCB in the mega auction, but IPL 2023 saw a dip in his performance, managing 14 wickets in 13 games with a high economy rate.
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Adding to the excitement, Punjab Kings secured the services of seasoned England all-rounder Chris Woakes for a respectable 4.2 crores. The bidding process saw the Punjab-based team engage in a fierce competition, initially for New Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell. Despite losing the bid for Mitchell to Chennai Super Kings at 14 crores, Punjab Kings swiftly regrouped and clinched the bid for Chris Woakes.
Chris Woakes, with a base price of 2 crores, has a rich IPL history. Starting with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2017, he made a notable impact by claiming 17 wickets in his debut season. He later played for Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2018 before being released. Despite going unsold in 2019, he returned to IPL with Delhi Capitals in 2020. His recent ODI World Cup stint in India showcased his all-round prowess, contributing 10 wickets in 8 games and scoring 131 runs with a crucial half-century.