Black Caps all-rounder Daryl Mitchell has struck it rich with a big contract at the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction overnight.
Mitchell was picked up by the Chennai Super Kings for 14 crore ($2.69 million), the second-highest bid put on a New Zealander in tournament history behind Kyle Jamieson in 2021 ($2.86m).
Fellow Black Caps star Rachin Ravindra, who rose to stardom at the Cricket World Cup in India, was also taken by the Super Kings for 1.8 crore ($346,000). The Stephen Fleming-coached franchise team are the defending champions and already have Devon Conway and Mitchell Santner in the squad. The Super Kings are captained by Indian great M.S. Dhoni.
New Zealand paceman Lockie Ferguson was the only other Kiwi sold at the auction overnight, going to Royal Challengers Bangalore for 2 crore ($348,000).
“It’s a wonderful franchise and I can’t wait to be a part of it,” Mitchell said in a video posted on X. “Also really excited to play with Devon Conway and Mitch Santer and Rachin Ravindra as well as fellow Kiwis and also to learn off M.S. and play under Flem and experience what it’s like to be in the Chennai changing room.”