Why IPL franchises pay big money to Australian players
Indian Premier League (IPL)?
In the IPL auction earlier this week, for example, Australian fast bowlers Mitchell Starc (Rs 24.75 crores) and Pat Cummins (Rs 20.50 crores) together attracted bids totaling Rs 45.25 crores – nearly half the total budget of a team. Even a relative rookie, Spencer Johnson, received Rs 10 crores. Meanwhile, South African pacer Gerald Coetzee got Rs 5 crores, and the World Cup’s third-highest wicket-taker, Dilshan Madhushanka of Sri Lanka, received only Rs 4 crores.
Probably even more surprising was that Wanindu Hasaranga went for just Rs 1.5 crores.
This inclination is baffling when you note that no Australian, except David Warner and Shane Watson, has had a telling impact on the IPL in the last few years. In the last three seasons, only Glenn Maxwell had a good season.
The big bucks spent on Australian stars didn’t yield adequate returns on investment. Last year, Cameron Green underperformed for Mumbai Indians, while Mitchell Marsh had a quiet season for Delhi Capitals. Cummins was modest for the Kolkata Knight Riders when he last played in 2022.
And yet they are favoured in almost every auction.
The reason behind this, I would argue, is Australia’s track record in ICC events. Because Australia have won so many ICC tournaments, it’s presumed that their players perform better under pressure in comparison to players from most other countries.
It helped that the auction was held within a month of Australia winning the World Cup.
Along with Australia’s international record, the other factor that could explain franchises’ proclivity is that the brand value of the Aussies is considered second only to the Indian stars. They are faces who can be marketed and have panIndia appeal.
