New Zealand middle-order batter Daryl Mitchell shared his experience of watching the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 auction held on Tuesday, December 19. Mitchell’s stocks have risen considerably after a stellar ODI World Cup 2023, where he established himself as the best batter in the tournament. The all-rounder amassed 552 runs in ten matches at an impressive average of 69, including two centuries, both of which came against India.
Chennai Super Kings’ staggering bid
During the IPL 2024 auction, multiple franchises vied for Mitchell’s services, reflecting the high demand for the dynamic all-rounder. Ultimately, it was the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) who secured Mitchell’s signature with a staggering bid of 14 crore INR. This sum positioned him as the second-most expensive Black Cap ever purchased in the IPL’s 16-year history, standing alongside cricketing stalwart Kane Williamson and trailing only Kyle Jamieson.
Daryl Mitchell’s reflections on the IPL 2024 Auction
After the auction, Mitchell discussed his surreal experience of watching the IPL 2024 auction with his family. Expressing satisfaction at securing a substantial contract, he highlighted the significance of the moment, especially considering his previous experience of going unsold. Mitchell was part of the Rajasthan Royals (RR) camp in the 2022 edition but had limited opportunities, making his successful bid in 2024 particularly gratifying.
“It was obviously a pretty special night for us as a family, sitting here with my wife watching the whole auction. To see your name come up and then to go through that whole experience is definitely something that will stick with us for the rest of our lives. Your heart starts to pump a little bit, as you see the paddles going up. But having been through the auction before and going unsold, it was a pretty special night last night to experience that,” Mitchell was quoted as saying by stuff.co.nz.
Also READ: Punjab Kings full squad: Complete list of PBKS players after IPL 2024 auction
Family moments and IPL future prospects
While focused on celebrating his daughter’s birthday during the auction, Mitchell emphasized how such occasions bring families closer.
“She’s got a pretty good present, waking up to that – not that she understands what’s going on. But that’s the whole thing about these sorts of situations – it helps set up your family in many ways so that they can grow up and enjoy the things they love. For me, that’s the really cool thing about it. They’re the ones that are the reason why you do all this,” the 32-year-old concluded.
The Hamilton-born cricketer is set to join fellow Kiwi players Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra and Mitchell Santner in the CSK’s camp for IPL 2024. The upcoming season holds promise for Mitchell as he looks forward to making a substantial impact with his versatile skills in the IPL.