Pat Cummins becomes the most expensive captain in IPL history, breaking KL Rahul's record!

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Before the start of IPL 2024, an important change was seen in Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), especially in the captaincy. For the 17th season, SRH has appointed Pat Cummins as its new captain in place of Aiden Markram, who led the team last season.

The news of Cummins being made the captain was confirmed by Sunrisers Hyderabad. In earlier discussions, Pat Cummins was hinted to take over the captaincy for IPL 2024 in place of Markram. Now, with the official announcement, Cummins is taking over the captaincy, leaving Markram to focus solely on his role as a batsman.

Despite being made captain, Cummins does not have prior captaincy experience in the IPL. While Cummins has successfully captained Australia in international cricket, the IPL presents a new challenge for him. Under his leadership, Australia claimed the World Test Championship and secured the 2023 One Day International World Cup.

Pat Cummins became the most expensive captain in IPL history during the auction, with Sunrisers Hyderabad buying him for over Rs 20 crore. This makes Cummins the most expensive captain in IPL history, breaking the previous record of KL Rahul, who was bought by Lucknow Supergiants for Rs 17 crore.

Cummins will be SRH's third captain in the last three seasons. SRH finished 8th in IPL 2022 under the captaincy of Kane Williamson. Williamson was released from the team before the start of the 2023 season, after which Markram was handed the captaincy. Under the captaincy of Markram in IPL 2023, SRH won 4 out of 14 matches.

Australian captains have had a remarkable history in the IPL, with Adam Gilchrist leading the Deccan Chargers to victory in 2009 and David Warner leading Sunrisers Hyderabad to the title in 2016. It remains to be seen how Cummins will perform to continue this legacy during IPL 2024.