Sam Curran reacts to being the most expensive player in the history on Indian T20 League

Sam Curran, who described himself as “overwhelmed,” claimed on Friday that he had a sleepless and anxious night prior to the Indian T20 League mini-auction, where he went for the highest bid of Rs 18.5 crore from the Punjab franchise to become the most expensive player in the history of the T20 tournament.

To hire the 20-20 World Cup players of the tournament, Mumbai, Bangalore, Rajasthan, Chennai, Lucknow, and Punjab all raised their paddles furiously. In the end, Punjab Kings broke the bank to get Curran, who attracted the highest-ever offer and outbid the previous biggest buy by Rajasthan, who paid Rs 16.25 crore to acquire South African all-rounder Chris Morris in 2021.

“I didn’t sleep much last night, was a bit excited, also nervous about how the auction was going to go. But yeah, absolutely overwhelmed and incredibly humbled that I managed to get what I did. I never had any expectations to receive that,” Curran said on Star Sports show ‘Cricket Live – Auction Special’.

The Three Lions’ all-rounder said that he was very happy to be back on the Punjab side, with whom he made his Indian T20 League debut.

“Obviously, going back to where it all started for me in the IPL with Punjab, where I did my debut season four years ago. So, to be going back there seems fantastic and I am looking forward to joining a few English teammates as well,” Curran said.

I think it will be very different: Sam Curran

Coming from a great 20-20 World Cup campaign, the 24-year-old is eager to start his new journey for the Punjab franchise in the Indian T20 League. “Yeah, I think it will be very different, but like I said, I know the stadium. I know Mohali pretty well so that obviously is a little bit of an advantage, having some familiar teammates who’ll help me.

“And yeah, I feel confident going into this tournament, where I’ve come off a fantastic World Cup. And yeah, it’s amazing, I’m just incredibly excited, it’s just a few months away till I will be coming to India, but it’s incredibly exciting,” he said.

“A massively big opportunity, which I’m so excited about, it’s incredible as you can probably imagine. There are so many things running through my mind and yeah it’s absolutely incredible, very overwhelmed.”