IPL Special: 5 Most Expensive Players bought at the Auction
Yuvraj Singh, one of the most expensive players bought at the IPL Auction
IPL Auctions have gone a long way in changing the perception of the fans towards the game. While Indian cricketers and overseas stars playing together in itself was a change, the auctions have further made the competition more entertaining.
Nowadays, a player is often measured more on his likely auction value than his on-field performances. This has also led to a gradual shift in the way players across the globe have executed their game. A big-hitting batsman, a consistent death-bowler, and spinners with mystery elements usually do well at the auction.
From a bid of INR ~6.5 crores for MS Dhoni in 2008 to the INR 16 crores Yuvraj Singh earned in 2015, the stocks have gradually risen in the IPL Auction. Not just the Indian Cricketers, the International Cricketers too have fetched big at the Auction.
As we are on this topic, it is probably the right time to throw light on some of the highest bids made in the IPL Auction-history. In this article, we list down the top 5 most expensive players bought at the IPL Auction.
#5 Ben Stokes | INR 12.5 Crores | Rajasthan Royals | IPL 2018 Auction
After his sensational debut season in 2017, where he awarded as the player of the series, Ben Stokes returned to the auction following Rising Pune Supergiant’s exit from the Tournament. He was supposedly the biggest name at the IPL 2018 Auction. Hence, most of the teams were interested in signing the Englishman.
Rajasthan Royals, who usually play safe with costly purchases turned many heads with their aggressive bidding strategy in 2018. RR were right till the end for Stokes, and eventually warded off many teams to win the bid at INR 12.5 crores, thus making Stokes the costliest buy at the event.
Although the player has not showcased his best till now for RR, the performances by Stokes at the International level in 2019 make him the player to watch out for during IPL 2020.
#4 Dinesh Karthik | INR 14 Crores | Delhi Daredevils | IPL 2014 Auction
Dinesh Karthik represented Delhi Daredevils ( now Delhi Capitals) in the first three editions of the IPL. Dinesh did have a few memorable games during this stint. However, his true potential in the cash-rich league came out in 2013. The Tamil Nadu player was in scintillating form for Mumbai Indians, scoring runs at a brisk rate, and winning games for his team.
Having not being retained by Mumbai Indians, Dinesh Karthik’s stakes were high for IPL 2014 Auction. Moreover, a domestic wicket-keeper batsman in fine form is a prized asset for any team. It was also the time when Delhi were struggling in the tournament. None of the departments were firing and clearly, the team needed a couple of reliable players, especially in the middle-order.
Dinesh fit the bill perfectly, and therefore, the Delhi-based franchise went all out for the player at the auction. Dinesh’s attributes interested many other teams as well, but eventually, Delhi stuck the deal at INR 14 crores.
#3 Yuvraj Singh | INR 14 Crores | Royal Challengers Bangalore | IPL 2014 Auction
RCB’s bowling issues date back to the mega-auction which happened in 2011. The franchise’s inability to procure quality domestic bowlers has cost them the title on many occasions. On the hind side, their batsmen have been in destructive form since then. Especially in the 2013 edition, the Gayle-Virat-AB combo lit up the tournament.
With the lack of investments in the bowling department, RCB’s decision in the following Auction once again became the talking point. They went hard after Yuvraj Singh, a player who was not in great form at that time, and they procured his services at INR 14 crores. It was also the most expensive buy at the auctions till then.
Yuvraj’s stint with RCB was unsuccessful. Apart from two good knocks, RCB’s big investment failed to reward adequate returns. Yuvi was later released by the franchise at the end of that season.
#2 Ben Stokes | INR 14 Crores | Rising Pune Supergiant | IPL 2017 Auction
Ben Stokes had established himself as a premier T20 all-rounder after a good run with the England Cricket Team. A power-hitter in the middle-order, Stokes’ handy bowling meant teams could have a multi-utility player within their squad. Hence, when he signed up for the auction in 2017, many teams froze their priority signing for the event.
After a long battle with all the interested parties, Rising Pune Supergiant picked Ben Stokes at the Auction. The Pune-based franchise paid INR 14 crores to procure the services of the Englishman. In effect, Ben Stokes also became the costliest overseas player ever in the history of IPL.
Stokes proved his worth in the tournament with a few blazing knocks, and by picking wickets at regular intervals. His effort at the edge of the boundary while fielding was also noteworthy. He finished as the MVP of that season.
#1 Yuvraj Singh | INR 16 Crores | Delhi Daredevils | IPL 2015 Auction
Yuvraj Singh has been one of the finest T20 players that India has ever seen. However, the Punjab cricketer often found it difficult to make a name for himself in the IPL. Yuvi could never produce a consistent performance for 14 games, thereby forbidding himself to be associated with any of the franchises as a regular member. Hence, the name ‘Yuvraj Singh’ has often being heard at the IPL Auctions.
“An absolutely gifted talent that he is, naturally, every time he came under the hammer, the expectations were high. Yuvraj is a special cricketer who is armed with loads of experience. His fan-base is really solid and hence, the economic reasons to sign the 2011 World Cup winner were also always strong”.
At the 2015 auction, Yuvraj Singh was the biggest name in the pool. After a record bid by RCB in 2014, Yuvi had been released following a patchy campaign with Virat Kohli’s men. Therefore, although Yuvi was yet again expected to trigger a bidding war, a final bid this high was never forecasted.
Surprisingly, RCB, who had released Yuvi in the first place were in for the player until the closing bid. Delhi paid INR 16 crores to sign Yuvraj Singh. This bid still remains as the most expensive in IPL history.
ALSO READ: IPL 2020: The Most Expensive XI of the Tournament (Costs More than 1 Billion)
Nesara is an Author at AK4Tsay1 Cricalytics. He is an Engineer by profession. Watching Cricket, Football & Movies is one of his topmost priorities within the day.
