Friday saw Sam Curran become the most expensive player in IPL history after Punjab Kings agreed to pay Rs 18.5 Cr for his services. This year, Curran played a key role in England’s triumphant T20 World Cup campaign. He won player of the tournament honours after taking 13 wickets, including a run of three for twelve against Pakistan in the championship match. The all-rounder sparked a bidding war on a day of high spending at the IPL auction in Kerala, with teams vying for his services including Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals. Punjab came out on top, agreeing to a fee that exceeds the £1.6m Rajasthan paid for the South African all-rounder Chris Morris in 2021.