Indian wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant, who revived his cricket career with a bang after meeting with an accident, became the most expensive player bought during the auction process on Sunday for the upcoming Indian Premier League.
Lucknow Super Giants picked Pant for a record-shattering Rs. 27 crores (USD3.2 million).
Pant surpassed his Indian team colleague Shreyas Iyer who went to Punjab Kings for Rs. 26.75 crores (USD 3.18 million).
He was part of the Indian squad that won the T20 World Cup this year.
Iyer’s fate of becoming the most expensive player bought in the history of the cash-rich tournament was shortlived after Pant broke his record shortly after he went to Punjab Kings.
Iyer was one of the most sought-after players for the season since under his leadership Kolkata Knight Riders won the IPL title in 2024.
Meanwhile, defending champions KKR bought Venkatesh Iyer by paying a massive Rs 23.75 crore (USD 2.83 million).
Devdutt Padikkal, David Warner and Jonny Bairstow were the most high-profile players who remained unsold on the first day of the auction process.
Arshdeep Singh became one of the most expensive fast bowlers who was purchased in IPL history.
Punjab Kings purchased him for Rs. 18 crores (USD 2.13 million).
Jeddah city in Saudi Arabia is hosting the auction process for the first time.
The auction will end on Monday.
