Australian pacer Mitchell Starc has hit a new record in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL) by becoming the most expensive player. The 33-year-old bowler is all set to make a grand entry into the wealthiest league after eight years with a blast. The IPL mini auction that was held in Dubai on Tuesday - December 19 had broken back-to-back records as the teams waged a strong and surprise bid to buy the best players. 

Starc was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for a whopping Rs 24.75 crore through which he became the most expensive player in the IPL history. In what has become a jaw-dropping auction session, the ten IPL teams battled to win the best players and for the Aussies, the recent and thumping victory in the ICC World Cup has certainly become an added advantage to dominate the trade. 

Before Starc, the bid to buy Australia's skipper Pat Cummins went impressive and after a tough fight, Sunrisers Hyderabad bought him for Rs 20.50 crore, which became a new history. When Cummins's bid crossed Rs 20 crore, the floor erupted with applause only to witness that the record didn't last longer. Hours after Cummins was bought for over Rs 20 crore and became the expensive player, Starc went past his fellow Australian after being bought for Rs 24.75 crore.  

While the crossing of Rs 20 crore mark is seen as a new record in the IPL auction, the whopping price of Rs 24.75 crore to buy Starc has become another record. Until before the auction, English all-rounder Sam Curran remained the most expensive player as he was bought for Rs 18.50 crore last year. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Gujarat Titans (GT) battled to buy Starc. 

Eventually, it was KKR who won the race and Starc will get reunited with KKR after five years. Starc made his IPL debut in 2014 and his last appearance in the IPL was in 2015 during which he played for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Since 2015, for various reasons, including injuries, he hasn't played IPL. Even in 2018, he was signed by KKR for Rs 9.40 crore but he ruled out due to an injury. Now, five years later, he is preparing to play for the Knight Riders by etching an iconic history of becoming the most expensive player in the IPL.