Top 10 expensive buys in the history of IPL auction
It is fair to say that the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction is as fascinating as the competition itself. The auction has provided some of cricket’s most exciting and beautiful stories over the years. The last 15 IPL auctions have seen everything from unknown faces becoming millionaires to famous names going unsold.
Let us take a look at the top 10 expensive buys in the history of IPL:
1. Chris Morris
The South African all-rounder was the most expensive buy of the 2021 season when Rajasthan Royals bought him for a whopping RS. 16.25 crore. However, he proved out to be an average investment for the team and later decided to rule himself out of the 2022 season.
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2. Pat Cummins
The Aussie speedster is among the elite list of expensive buys as he was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders Rs. 15.50 crore in the 2020 edition. In the season, he took 12 wickets in 14 games, including a 4-wicket haul. He was retained by KKR in the following season.
3. Ishan Kishan
The southpaw wicketkeeper batsman from Jharkhand was bought by Mumbai Indians for Rs. 15.25 crore during the 2022 mega auction. The left hander was an integral part of MI in the past and the team decided to go for him in the auction. However, even the expensive buy could not help MI from the humiliating season of 2022.
4. Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir had been an integral part for KKR’s success in the past where has captained the team to win two IPL trophies. He was bought by KKR in 2011 for Rs. 14.90 crore. He had a good season where he took KKR to playoffs for the first time.
5. Ben Stokes
The New Zealand born English all rounder was bought by Rising Pune Supergiants during the 2017 auction for Rs. 14.50 crore. He proved his worth as he went on to perform in crucial matches and take his team through to the final.
6. Ravindra Jadeja
The Indian all rounder has been an important player for team India in the recent past. He was the expensive buy during the 2012 auction where he was bought by Chennai Super Kings for Rs. 12.80 crore. Since then, he has been an integral part of the team and has won two IPL trophies for the team.
7. Ben Stokes
The English all rounder makes the list yet again. During the 2018 mega auction, he was bought by Rajasthan Royals for Rs. 12.50 crore making him the most expensive buy of the season. His team reached the playoffs stage.
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8. Kevin Pietersen/ Andrew Flintoff
The two Englishmen were the most expensive players during the 2009 auction. Kevin Pietersen (RCB) and Andrew Flintoff (CSK) were bought for Rs. 9.80 crore at the auction. They both proved to be a good buy as their teams reached the knockout stage during that season.
9. MS Dhoni
The former Indian skipper was in the limelight after his team won the inaugural T20 world cup in 2007. During the 2008 auction, he was and is till now the only player for who every team bid. He was eventually bought by CSK for Rs. 9.50 crore and since then he has been the backbone of the team.
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10. Jaydev Unadkat/ Varun Chakravarthy
Jaydev Unadkat (RR) and Varun C. (KXIP) are the surprising entrants in the list as both of them were bought for Rs. 8.40 crore by their respective teams during the 2019 auction. However, both their teams could not perform well and could not make it to the playoffs.
These were the top ten expensive buys in the history of IPL. Do let us know whom do you think can make it to the list in the future.
