India's former skipper and coach Anil Kumble feels Australia captain Pat Cummins bagged a surprisingly high price of Rs 20.50 crore at the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction due to his leadership abilities.
Cummins, known for his skills as a fast-bowling all-rounder, was eventually acquired by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for a huge amount after a fierce bidding battle involving Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings as well in Dubai on Tuesday.
"That's a really high price. Rs 20 crores wasn't expected. We knew he'd go for a higher price but Rs 20 crore! It's created a record," Kumble, also a former India coach, told JioCinema.
However, Cummins' record was short-lived as his fellow Aussie pacer Mitchell Starc eclipsed the record when he was acquired for a mammoth Rs 24.75 crore by the Kolkata Knight Riders.
"SRH is perhaps looking for a captain and that could be the reason why we see the desperation to get in," he said. "Perhaps RCB were also looking at a long-term captain. Good luck to Pat Cummins. Three trophies, but this would probably take the icing on the cake."
Eoin Morgan, the former England captain who led the team to ODI World Cup victory, believes that Cummins secured his substantial contract due to his recent success as a leader with the Australian national team.
"The player that Pat Cummins is and considering the last year-and-a-half that he has had, both with leadership and as a bowler with the World Test Championship winning side, retaining the Ashes in England during the English summer and then leading the Australian ODI team to another ODI World Cup," Morgan said.
"So, recent form and confidence is a huge contributing factor. It's also a demand-supply issue. There are quite a few teams looking for leadership roles to be fulfilled not only as captain but also in the changing room. So Cummins thoroughly justifies his price tag."
(With PTI inputs)
