The Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the most popular and lucrative cricket leagues in the world, attracting the best players from around the globe. Every year, the eight franchises compete in a fierce bidding war to acquire the services of these players in the IPL auction. Some players have fetched astronomical prices over the years, breaking records and making headlines. Here is a list of the most expensive players in IPL history since 2008.
TOP 10 MOST EXPENSIVE AUCTION BUYS
1. Sam Curran – INR 18.50 crore
The English all-rounder became the most expensive players in IPL history after he was bought by Punjab Kings for a staggering INR 18.50 crore in the IPL 2023 auction. Curran had impressed with his performances for Chennai Super Kings in the previous seasons, scoring 387 runs and taking 32 wickets in 28 matches. He also holds the record for the highest individual score by a number eight batsman in IPL history, with 95 not out against Delhi Capitals in 2021.
2. Cameron Green – INR 17.50 crore
The Australian youngster was another surprise package in the IPL 2023 auction, as he was snapped up by Mumbai Indians for a whopping INR 17.50 crore. Green is regarded as one of the most promising talents in world cricket, with his ability to bat in the middle order and bowl fast-medium pace. He has played four Tests and six ODIs for Australia so far, scoring 236 runs and taking six wickets.
3. Ben Stokes – INR 16.35 crore
The English superstar is no stranger to big money deals in the IPL, as he has been bought for huge sums in three different auctions. He first made headlines when he was bought by Rising Pune Supergiant for INR 14.50 crore in 2017, becoming the most expensive player that year. He justified his price tag by scoring 316 runs and taking 12 wickets, and winning the MVP award. He then moved to Rajasthan Royals for INR 12.50 crore in 2018, and again for INR 16.35 crore in 2023, making him one of the most expensive players in IPL history.
4. Chris Morris – INR 16.25 crore
The South African all-rounder was another surprise entry in the list of most expensive players in IPL history, as he was bought by Rajasthan Royals for a massive INR 16.25 crore in the IPL 2021 auction. Morris had played for four different franchises before, scoring 551 runs and taking 80 wickets in 70 matches. He had a decent outing for RR in IPL 2021, scoring 67 runs and taking 15 wickets in 11 matches.
5. Nicholas Pooran – INR 16.00 crore
The West Indian wicket-keeper batsman was one of the hottest properties in the IPL 2022 auction, as he was bought by Lucknow Super Giants for a whopping INR 16.00 crore making him one of the most expensive players in IPL history. Pooran had impressed with his explosive batting for Punjab Kings in the previous seasons, scoring 549 runs at a strike rate of over 160 in 26 matches. He also holds the record for the fastest fifty by a West Indian batsman in IPL history, with a 17-ball blitz against Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2020.
6. Yuvraj Singh – INR 16.00 crore
The Indian legend holds the record for being the most expensive Indian player ever bought in an IPL auction, as he was bought by Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) for a staggering INR 16.00 crore in 2015. Yuvraj had played for five different franchises before, scoring over 2700 runs and taking over 30 wickets in 132 matches. He had a disappointing season for DD, scoring only 248 runs and taking one wicket in 14 matches.
7. Pat Cummins – INR 15.50 crore
The Australian pace spearhead was the most expensive foreign player ever bought in an IPL auction, as he was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for a whopping INR 15.50 crore in 2020. Cummins had played for three different franchises before, taking 29 wickets in 30 matches. He had a mixed season for KKR, taking 12 wickets and scoring 146 runs in 14 matches.
8. Ishan Kishan – INR 15.25 crore
The young Indian wicket-keeper batsman was one of the most sought-after players in the IPL 2022 auction, as he was bought by Mumbai Indians for a massive INR 15.25 crore. Kishan had played for two different franchises before, scoring over 1200 runs and taking over 40 catches in 51 matches. He had a stellar season for MI in IPL 2020, scoring 516 runs at a strike rate of over 140 and hitting the most sixes (30) in the tournament.
9. Kyle Jamieson – INR 15.00 crore
The New Zealand all-rounder was another surprise entry in the list of the most expensive players in IPL history, as he was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore for a huge INR 15.00 crore in the IPL 2021 auction. Jamieson had made his international debut in 2019, and had impressed with his pace and bounce, taking over 50 wickets and scoring over 400 runs in 15 Tests and six ODIs. He had a decent outing for RCB in IPL 2021, scoring 65 runs and taking nine wickets in nine matches.
10. Ben Stokes – INR 14.50 crore
The English superstar is no stranger to big money deals in the IPL, as he has been bought for huge sums in three different auctions. He first made headlines when he was bought by Rising Pune Supergiant for INR 14.50 crore in 2017, becoming the most expensive player that year. He justified his price tag by scoring 316 runs and taking 12 wickets, and winning the MVP award. He then moved to Rajasthan Royals for INR 12.50 crore in 2018.
Conclusion
These are some of the most expensive players in IPL history, who have been bought for astronomical prices by the franchises in the IPL auctions. Some of them have lived up to their expectations and delivered match-winning performances, while others have failed to justify their hefty price tags. The IPL auctions are always full of surprises and drama, as the franchises try to outbid each other and build their dream teams. The IPL 2023 auction was no different, as it saw some new records being set and some old ones being broken.
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