England’s Sam Curran was always going to be a big attraction at the IPL 2023 auction. The all-rounder was expected to fetch big bucks in the mini-auction along with Ben Stokes and Cameron Green, and that is exactly how it turned out.
Curran was snapped by Punjab Kings (PBKS) for a whopping INR 18.50 Crore, making him the most expensive buy in the history of auctions.
Speaking on Star Sports show ‘Cricket Live – Auction Special’, an “overwhelmed” Curran said he had a sleepless and nervous night ahead of the IPL mini-auction.
“I didn’t sleep much last night, was a bit excited, also nervous about how the auction was going to go. But yeah, absolutely overwhelmed and incredibly humbled that I managed to get what I did. I never had any expectations to receive that,” he stated.
During the IPL 2019 auction, Sam Curran was roped in by Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) for INR 7.2 crore.
Ahead of the 2020 season, Curran was released by the Punjab-based franchise but the pace bowling all-rounder was fetched by four-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for INR 5.5 crore.
The 24-year-old is now happy to be back with the Punjab outfit.
“Obviously, going back to where it all started for me in the IPL with Punjab, where I did my debut season four years ago. So, to be going back there seems fantastic and I am looking forward to joining a few English team mates as well,” Curran said.
Sam Curran was the Player of the Tournament in England’s triumphant T20 World Cup 2022 campaign and he can’t wait to begin his new journey with Punjab Kings in the IPL.
“Yeah, I think it will be very different, but like I said, I know the stadium. I know Mohali pretty well, so that obviously is a little bit of an advantage, having some familiar team mates who’ll help me.
“And yeah, I feel confident going into this tournament, where I’ve come off a fantastic World Cup. And yeah, it’s amazing, I’m just incredibly excited, it’s just a few months away till I will be coming to India, but it’s incredibly exciting,” he said.
“A massively big opportunity, which I’m so excited about, it’s incredible as you can probably imagine. There are so many things running through my mind and yeah it’s absolutely incredible, very overwhelmed.”
(With PTI inputs)
