The IPL is unquestionably among the most entertaining national cricket leagues in the world. The best players from all over the world take part in the IPL. A collection of high-profile cricketers also transpires to extravagant quantities being spent to secure their services.
Australian speedster Pat Cummins was roped from the Kolkata Knight Riders to get a gigantic $15.5 crores for IPL 2020. Kings XI Punjab also broke the bank and had to shell out $10.75 crores to buy Glenn Maxwell. It provides us with the notion of the type of money that’s involved from the big-budget league.
Indian cricket lovers can’t appear to get enough of this IPL, and the excitement only increases annually after 12 successful seasons.
Although it’s always good to acquire fantastic bidding at the IPL, there are just a small number of players who’ve been in a position to justify their high price tag. Within this throwback article, we plan to list the 12 most expensive players of their 12 IPL auctions and the way they played in that specific edition. Without further ado, here they are:
1. #In 1st IPL 2008 – MS Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings) – $9.5 crores
MS Dhoni is among the most feared wicket-keeper-batsmen of all time. Quipped using a sharp wracking mind, calmness, and composure about the cricket pitch, the batting power has ever been a fan favourite.
As he is popularly known, Mahi was bought for $9.5 crores from Chennai Super Kings from the inaugural IPL variant in 2008. Aside from the 2016 and 2017 versions, Dhoni played Rising Pune Supergiants; Dhoni was a loyal CSK participant and a worthy leader for its franchise.
Throughout the 2008 variant, Dhoni gathered 414 runs in 16 matches with a healthful attack speed of 133.54 and 41.40. The extraordinary player headed CSK into the final, where they lost to eventual winners Rajasthan Royals.
Dhoni was instrumental because of CSK and has directed them to 8 IPL finals. They’ve completed as IPL Champions considerably and have been runner-up on five occasions.
2. IPL 2009 – Andrew Flintoff (Chennai Super Kings) and Kevin Pietersen (Royal Challengers Bangalore) – $9.8 crores (approx) each
Veteran English all-rounder Andrew Flintoff didn’t have a memorable encounter from the IPL. Purchased for a hefty $9.8 crores from Chennai Super Kings, Flintoff was ruled from 2009 IPL after playing just three games. The Lancashire-born participant couldn’t create a significant effect on these three games too.
He left a total of 62 runs at a strike rate of 116.98 while he was able to clinch two wickets at a market rate of 9.54.
IPL 2009 was Flintoff’s first and final appearance in India’s premier national league.
Kevin Pietersen also had a gloomy IPL 2009 despite the fact the Royal Challengers Bangalore needed to shell out roughly $9.8 crores due to him. He could play six games in his introduction IPL year because of international duties.
The English player scored only 93 runs in a dismal typical of 15.50, along with a lousy strike rate of 109.41. The Natal-born participant did, nevertheless, clinch four wickets in an impressive market rate of 6.53. KP’s performances were considerably improved in IPL 2010 and 2012 variations.
3. IPL 2010 – Shane Bond (Kolkata Knight Riders) and Kieron Pollard (Mumbai Indians) – $4.8 crores (approx) each
Shane Bond played matches for Kolkata Knight Riders at IPL 2010. The mythical Kiwi speedster created an effect as it clinched nine wickets at an adequate market rate of 7.22. IPL 2009 has been Bond’s only look in the IPL. His best figures of the year – 2/24 – arrived in the game against Mumbai Indians. The running right arm pacer declared his retirement from all forms of cricket on 13 May 2010.
Mumbai Indians paid an extravagant $4.8 crores to get West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard. The Trinidad and Tobago-born participant was exceptionally impressive in his debut season. He had been impressed with both ball and bat.
Pollard produced 15 scalps at 14 matches at a hit rate of 14.80 and a market rate of 7.40. The skeletal power hitter also scored 273 in an explosive attack rate of 185.71 at IPL 2010. Polly was a regular feature of Mumbai Indians ever since and has also been kept from the franchise for $5.4 crores before IPL 2020.
4. 4 IPL 2011 – Gautam Gambhir (Kolkata Knight Riders) – $14.9 crores
Kolkata Knight Riders compensated a mind-boggling $14.9 crores to secure the help of Gautam Gambhir. The celebrity Indian opener was outstanding from the 2008 variant however had a forgettable 2009 version. He did an excellent job at IPL 2010, and there were high expectations in the Delhi-born participant in IPL 2011.
5. IPL 2012 – Ravindra Jadeja (Chennai Super Kings) – $12.8 crore
After being a part of the Rajasthan Royals from the first two variants of this IPL, Jadeja represented Kochi Tuskers Kerala from the 2011 version. His all-around capacities and superb fielding made him one of the best selections ahead of IPL 2012. 2011 Champions Chennai Super Kings needed to shell out $12.8 crores to secure Jadeja’s solutions for IPL 2012.
6. IPL 2013 – Glenn Maxwell (Mumbai Indians) – $6.3 crores (approx)
Mumbai Indians roped in power hitter Glenn Maxwell for $6.3 crores before IPL 2013. Despite paying the hefty sum, the Mumbai-based franchise just showcased Maxwell in 3 from 19 games they played in IPL 2013.
The hard-hitting Aussie participant scored 36 runs at a strike rate of 133.33 and a mean of 18.00. No matter, Mumbai Indians proceeded to lift their initial IPL trophy in 2013.
7. IPL 2014 – Yuvraj Singh (Royal Challengers Bangalore) – $14 crores
Royal Challengers Bangalore compensated $14 crores for Yuvraj Singh before IPL 2014. The southpaw did quite a fantastic job with the bat and scored 376 runs in 14 matches at a mean of 34.18 and an impressive strike rate of 135.25.
8. IPL 2015 – Yuvraj Singh (Delhi Daredevils) – $16 crores
Yuvraj’s remarkable performances from the 2014 variation supposed he would make a handsome amount in IPL 2015. This time, the scrawny all-rounder obtained $16 crores out of Delhi Daredevils. He’s the only Indian player in IPL history who is the priciest purchase double in a row.
9. IPL 2016 – Shane Watson (Royal Challengers Bangalore) – $9.5 crores
Royal Challengers Bangalore bought the knowledgeable Aussie all-rounder to get an excellent $9.5 crores. Watson was in poor batting form and may only collect 179 runs in 16 matches in a mean of both 13.76 and a hit rate of 133.58. Watto was mortal using the ball and clinched 20 wickets, a strike rate of 16.95, and a market rate of 8.58, ending as the third-highest wicket-taker of this championship.
Shane Watson now plays for Chennai Super Kings, chiefly as an opening batsman, and continues to be kept by CSK for $4 crores before IPL 2020.
10. 10 IPL 2017 – Ben Stokes (Growing Pune Supergiant) – $14.5 crores
English all-rounder Ben Stokes warranted his high cost and did well in his introduction IPL season. The 28-year-old supplies the X-factor for any team he plays.
Stokes gathered 316 runs in 12 matches at a phenomenal hit rate of 142.98 along with a mean of 31.60. The match-winning 103 off 63 balls against the Gujarat Lions was unquestionably his most memorable bang of this year.
11. IPL 2018 – Ben Stokes (Rajasthan Royals) – $12.5 crores
Stokes’ phenomenal encounter in IPL 2017 acquired him a handsome paycheque at IPL 2018 too. Rajasthan Royals paid $12.5 crores to secure the help of this all-rounder.
On the other hand, the all-rounder wasn’t as deadly as he had been the former edition with RPS.
Stokes scored just 196 runs in 13 matches at a market rate of 121.73 along with a gloomy typical of 16.33. The English participant could only pick eight wickets and had a market rate of 8.18 at IPL 2018. No matter, Rajasthan Royals was able to achieve the playoffs in 2018.
12. IPL 2019 – Jaydev Unadkat (Rajasthan Royals) and Varun Chakravarthy (Kings XI Punjab) – $8.4 crores each
Rajasthan Royals published Jaydev Unadkat before IPL 2019 but purchased him throughout the auctions. The Gujarat-born pacer let the Royals yet again. He couldn’t justify his high cost as he claimed only ten wickets in 11 matches at an alarming market rate of 10.66.
King XI Punjab brought Varun Chakravarthy in 8.4 crores back in 2019 IPL.
Conclusion
So we just saw the list of all the most expensive players in IPL history, let us know, which name is the most shocking? By sounds off in the comment section.