In a riveting turn of events at the IPL 2024 auction in Dubai, all-rounder Daryl Mitchell emerged as a hot commodity. He secured a staggering deal with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for a whopping INR 14 crore. The New Zealand cricketer’s acquisition sparked a prolonged bidding war between the Delhi Capitals (DC) and the Punjab Kings (PBKS) before CSK ultimately clinched the deal.
DC and PBKS engaged in a back-and-forth battle, showcasing their eagerness to secure Mitchell’s services. After a prolonged exchange, DC eventually withdrew from the bidding, paving the way for CSK to enter the fray. The defending champions then engaged in a strategic tug-of-war with PBKS until the latter withdrew from the race, solidifying Mitchell’s move to CSK.
Mitchell’s impressive performance in the ODI World Cup earlier in the year significantly boosted his market value. The 32-year-old showcased his batting prowess by amassing 552 runs at an outstanding average of 69.00 and a strike rate of 111.06 during the tournament. Mitchell’s previous stint with the Rajasthan Royals in 2022 saw him play two matches after being acquired for his base price of Rs. 75 lakh. Remarkably, he went unsold in the previous year’s auction despite being listed at a base price of Rs. 1 crore.
“Big show to fill,” says CSK head coach Stephen Fleming
The Kiwi all-rounder’s potential role as a replacement for English star Ben Stokes, who was released by CSK ahead of the auction, was a topic of discussion. However, CSK’s head coach, Stephen Fleming, downplayed the comparison, stating that Stokes had played only one game and that Mitchell’s unique skills warranted the hefty price tag. Fleming emphasised Mitchell’s versatility, highlighting his ability to spin and contribute as a handy bowler.
The coach expressed confidence in Mitchell’s adaptability to the conditions at Chepauk and deemed him a valuable addition to the team. He said, “Daryl is a different type of player, but his performances over the last 18–24 months have warranted this type of price. He is an unfashionable player who often goes under the radar. With his ability to spin, he is competitive, and he is also a handy bowler. In Chepauk, we can slide him into a role. Just like his performances, he fits in nicely and is a good buy for us.”
With an average of 24.86 in T20 internationals over 56 matches, Mitchell brings a wealth of experience and skill to the CSK squad, positioning himself as a key player to watch in the upcoming IPL season. It will be interesting to see how Mitchell goes ahead with the expectations.
Here is how fans react to CSK’s buyout of Daryl Mitchell:
That's 4 NZ players in CSK including Mitchell. CSK are going for players with winning mentality.
— DepressedBergman (@DannyDrinksWine) December 19, 2023
Mitchell family today pic.twitter.com/xuzYiLHSRD
— Amit Shah (Parody) (@Motabhai012) December 19, 2023
From unsold to 14 crore, darly Mitchell is good addition in CSK ??
— Kirkett (@bhaskar_sanu08) December 19, 2023
He is a run machine with good year, so seeing many runs
— Hassan. (@Heyitshassan) December 19, 2023
Absolute rip off. What were they thinking
— Axciem (@Axciem96) December 19, 2023
This auction makes no sense how is Daryll Mitchell worth 14cr?
— Prantik (@Pran__07) December 19, 2023
Congrats Csk. Great middle order batsman ? pic.twitter.com/hO7yDdjjvX
— Karthik (@vsk_says) December 19, 2023
Michell will not perform good bookmark this ?
— Raghav ? (@_there4you) December 19, 2023
Daryl Mitchel is an efficient run making machine on Indian conditions.
Very good buy and deserving price too.— King Kohli ? (@anime_world_104) December 19, 2023
