Chennai Super Kings made a significant move in the IPL 2024 auction by securing New Zealand all-rounder Daryl Mitchell for a hefty sum of Rs. 14 crore in Dubai on Tuesday.
The auction saw an intense bidding battle between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings, with Delhi eventually withdrawing from the competition. Chennai Super Kings entered the fray after a prolonged wait and engaged in a back-and-forth with Punjab Kings, ultimately emerging victorious.
While there were speculations about Mitchell potentially filling the shoes of English all-rounder Ben Stokes, who was released by CSK before the auction, head coach Stephen Fleming had a different perspective. Fleming noted that Stokes had played just one game, so the impact was not substantial. He emphasized Mitchell’s unique attributes, describing him as a different type of player whose performances over the last 18–24 months justified the high price tag. Fleming highlighted Mitchell’s competitive spirit, spin abilities, and versatility as a bowler, stating that he fits seamlessly into the team’s plans.
Mitchell’s impressive showing in the ODI World Cup earlier in the year, where he amassed 552 runs at an average of 69.00 and a strike rate of 111.06, made him a sought-after player in the auction.
Previously with the Rajasthan Royals in 2022, Mitchell played two matches after being acquired by the franchise for his base price of Rs. 75 lakh. Despite going unsold in the previous year’s auction with a base price of Rs. 1 crore, the 32-year-old cricketer has proven his worth, boasting an average of 24.86 in T20Is for New Zealand across 56 matches.