The annual auction of professional cricketers took place at Kolkata for the 2020 IPL on Thursday.

Let us take a look at some of the biggest buys from the auction.

Pacers rule :

Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins became the most expensive overseas signing and the second costliest ever in the history of IPL as he was purchased for a whooping $2.2 million by Kolkata Knight Riders.

Royal Challengers Banglore and Delhi Capitals were involved in a bidding war for the highest wicket-taker in Tests this year, but KKR swooped in late to secure his services. Sheldon Cottrell and Nathan Coulter-Nile were bought by Kings XI Punjab and Mumbai Indians respectively for $1.2m.

South Africa legend Dale Steyn joins AB de Villiers at Royal Challengers Bangalore as he went for his base price $281,145.

Chennai Super Kings bid successfully for fast bowlers Sam Curran and Josh Hazlewoood. They also made the biggest “head-scratcher” bid of the day as they bought Piyush Chawla for six times his base price.

Big Hitters among the big bucks
Cummins’ team-mate Glenn Maxwell also fetched a handsome sum of $1.5m as he went to his former team Kings XI Punjab.

Glenn Maxwell.

South African all-rounder Chris Morris was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore for $1.4m.

West Indies top-order batsman, Shimron Hetmyer who had a lacklustre season last time around, will be playing for the Delhi Capitals in 2020. The newly christened franchise secured his services for $1.1m.