RIYADH: As clubs shelled out a record $3.2 million for world-class cricketers in anticipation of the lucrative Twenty20 event, Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant became the most expensive player in Indian Premier League (IPL) history on Sunday.
Pant, England veteran James Anderson, and New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra are among the 577 players up for hands at the two-day auction in Jeddah.
Punjab Kings first broke the 2023 record of 247.5 million rupees that Kolkata paid to Australian Mitchell Starc when they acquired Shreyas Iyer for a “handsome” 267.5 million rupees ($3.17 million), according to the IPL.
The 29-year-old Iyer led the Kolkata Knight Riders to their third IPL championship this season.
Ricky Ponting, the new Punjab coach, left the Delhi Capitals.
