Daryl Mitchell expressed the thrill and excitement of being part of the IPL auction, stating that seeing the bidding paddles go up after previously going unsold made the experience special.
As the IPL 2024 auction concluded, star New Zealand all-rounder Daryl Mitchell became one of the top attractions, securing a substantial bid of INR 14 crore from the defending champions, Chennai Super Kings. Reflecting on the exhilarating moment, Mitchell shared that witnessing the bidding paddles rise for him during the auction brought a rush of excitement, especially considering his previous experience of going unsold.
“Yeah, your heart starts to pump a little bit as you see the paddles going up. And yeah, having been through an auction before and going unsold, it was a special night last night to experience that, and now to obviously be part of the Chennai Super Kings is an exciting time,” Mitchell was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.
“At the auction, you don’t quite know exactly when you’re going to come up in the list. So yeah, I guess we were just trying to keep ourselves busy and watching it, and then, when it popped up, I guess you end up being glued to the screen to see what happens,” he added.
Following the auction, Chennai Super Kings promptly reached out to Mitchell. Subsequent discussions with the team manager and head coach Stephen Fleming ensued, finalizing his induction into the squad.
A seasoned figure in the New Zealand cricket team, Mitchell had minimal appearances with Rajasthan Royals in 2022, playing only twice despite his international experience across formats. He sees the new opportunity as more than just a career move, hoping it brings broader benefits, especially for his family.
“I understand that the game doesn’t owe you anything, but you also have to be grateful for the opportunities that are provided. And be grateful for what’s happened over the last 12 hours and being excited about it, but at the same time knowing that the hard work doesn’t stop, and you keep showing up with a smile on your face and getting stuck into the competition,” he added.
Last Updated on December 20, 2023
Senior Sports Copywriter
