Rishabh Pant became the most expensive player in the history of the Indian Premier League when he was signed by Lucknow Super Giants for Rs 27 crore (£2.54 million) at the mega auction in Saudi Arabia.
The 27-year-old Indian wicketkeeper was the subject of a bidding war between the Super Giants and his former side, Delhi Capitals.
Pant, who returned to this year’s IPL after a 14-month layoff following a car accident, beat the record earlier in the day when Shreyas Iyer was signed by Punjab Kings for Rs 26.75 crore (£2.51 million).
Australian seamer Mitchell Starc, who held the record prior to the auction, was signed by the Capitals for 11.75 crore (£1 million), slightly less than the price of 24.75 crore (£2.3 million) when he was signed by Kolkata Knight Riders last year. .
Jos Buttler was the only Englishman in the first group of players auctioned in Jeddah, and the England captain and wicketkeeper was snapped up by Gujarat Titans for 15.75 crore (£1.4 million).
Liam Livingstone was signed from the second group of players and joined Royal Challengers Bangalore for 8.75 crore (£827,000), and was later joined by opener Phil Salt for 11.5 crore (£1 million).
Harry Brook was re-signed by Delhi Capitals for 6.25 crore (£590,000).
Brook was picked by the Capitals in last December’s mini-auction but withdrew from the 2024 IPL following the death of his grandmother.