West Australian all-rounder Cam Green has reaped in a giant purse after initiating a heated bidding war in the first round of the mega-money IPL auction.
The all-rounder will earn the full $3.05 million limit for overseas players for only six weeks of cricket, purchased for a near-record 25.20Cr ($4.17AUD million) by Kolkata Knight Riders after four teams fought for his services for March’s tournament.
Despite being brought for more than $4 million, a new rule introduced this year to prevent players from attempting to increase their value by only nominating for the auction when there are fewer players means Green can only earn $3.05 million.
He started with a base price of 2.00Cr but was quickly into the double digits as the Knight Riders dug into their deep coffers, the richest at this year’s auction.
Kolkata saw off the Rajasthan Royals at 13.60Cr before Chennai launched a last-minute bid as the hammer was about to confirm the deal.
However, the Knight Riders were determined to have their man, upping every bid until they broke the Super Kings very close to the tournament’s record sale of 28Cr for local star Rishabh Pant.
The rest of the bid money will be transferred to the BCCI’s player welfare fund.
Green hasn’t played in the IPL since 2023, after missing a season following back surgery, but holds a remarkable record in the tournament, having represented both the Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangaluru in previous editions.
He averages 41.58 in the Indian competition at a strike rate of 153.69, including an unbeaten century.
For comparison, his BBL average with Perth Scorchers is 15.14, but from far fewer outings.
Green was not the only West Australian to have IPL fans on the edge of their seats.
Perth Scorchers young gun, Cooper Connolly, who is set to go under the hammer later in the night, had X abuzz.
As the auction started, he was trending on the platform as fans of every franchise speculated on how much he would go for, wanting him to join their team.
Jake Fraser-McGurk was the first player to be auctioned but remained unsold.
More to come.
