Harry Brook sold to SRH for ₹13.25 crore at the IPL 2023 mini-auction
Promising batter Harry Brook set history by becoming the second-most expensive English player in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The 23-year-old was roped in by the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for a whopping sum of ₹13.25 crore.
The interest in the youngster rose immediately after he was the second name to be called out at the auction after Kane Williamson.
The Rajasthan Royals (RR) and the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) went head-on in a bidding war before the latter bowed out at the ₹5 crore mark which brought SRH into the race. RR were eventually outbid as they only had ₹13.20 crore left in their purse.
Brook is among the most sought-after players following a set of impressive exploits since entering the scene. He made his T20I debut during the away series against the West Indies earlier this year. He came into the spotlight on England's recent Test tour of Pakistan, with him being adjudged the Player of the Series.
The English batter proves to be a valuable acquisition for the Orange Army as they had a void in the middle order following Nicholas Pooran's release.
Harry Brook falls narrowly short of Ben Stokes, who remains the most expensive Englishman at IPL auctions
Harry Brook was short by a margin of ₹1 crore to break Ben Stokes' existing record of being the most expensive English purchase at IPL auctions.
The all-rounder was bought by the Rising Pune Supergiant for a sum of ₹14.25 crore ahead of IPL 2017.
Brook recently scored three centuries in his maiden overseas Test tour, making his case as an all-format player, something which Stokes stressed as well recently. He said:
“He’s one of those rare players that you look across all formats and you can just see him being successful everywhere. It’s a massive shout, but Virat Kohli is one of those guys where his technique is just so simple and works everywhere. The pressure that he puts back onto opposition is exactly what we’re about.”
Brook has so far played 99 T20 matches, scoring 2432 runs at an average of 33.77 and a strike rate of 148.38, notching up nine half-centuries and one hundred.
Will the youngster prove to be a success in the IPL for SRH? Let us know what you think.
Also Read: "The best auction does not necessarily mean that you will perform the best on the field as well" - LSG mentor Gautam Gambhir