Five most expensive buys in IPL history
While the IPL continues to stand as the legitimate symbol of opulence in cricket’s ever-lasting history, over the years, we have seen some dazzling amounts being spent by franchises to acquire a players proposition. MS Dhoni’s selling price (USD 1.5 Million) in the inaugural edition did look and feel like a realm but in today’s age, the figure might start feeling menial. T20s biggest carnival has produced some of the most astonishing buys almost in its every auction and is again expected to do the same on 18th of February. Meanwhile, here’s our list of the five most expensive buys.
5. Dinesh Karthik & Ben Stokes (12.5 Crores)
Ever since Karthik won his first IPL title with MI in 2013, the wicket-keeper batsman had become a hotcake in the IPL auction of 2014. Being a vital cog in MI’s triumph in 2013, DK was one of the consistent top-scorers and hence looking at his form, the Delhi Daredevils management did pick him for a deal of 12.5 crores in 2014. In Stokes’s storyline, the all-rounder had turned out to be an elated package in the 2017 edition and hence bagged a deal of 12.5 crores from RR.
4. Yuvraj Singh (14 crores)
It was in 2014 when Yuvraj had stunned the entire world when he broke the record for bagging the most expensive contract in the IPL’s history. The all-rounder at that time was well set to play a vital role in India’s 2014 World T20 campaign and was a class above proposition available at the auction table. Hence without thinking much the RCB management signed this stalwart for a whopping amount of 14 crores. In response, Yuvraj had a reasonable season wherein he amassed a total of 376 runs in the entire season.
3. Ben Stokes (14.5 crores)
It was in 2017 when Ben Stokes made some dazzling headlines for becoming the second most expensive player ever to be sold at an auction table. Stokes, because of his high-class proposition, was expected to attract some palatial offers but it was the new entrant, the Rising Pune Supergiant which signed this steadfast proponent for a roaring amount of 14.5 crores. Although Stokes wasn’t available for the entire season he did score a total of 316 runs and scalped 12 wickets.
2. Pat Cummins (15.5 crores)
With currently being the most expensive overseas cricketer, followed by being the second most expensive player in IPL’s history, Pat Cummins was picked by KKR to embellish his vigorous spirit. On being one of the exquisite members of the highly acknowledged fab four club of fast bowling, the Australian pacer was an elusive asset available at the auction table. After Gautam Gambhir, Cummins became the second player where KKR had to spend more than 10 crores to acquire him. Overall he had a bleak show where he could only pick 12 wickets from his 14 games.
1. Yuvraj Singh (16 crores)
While Yuvraj did have a reasonable season with RCB in 2014, once again he was up for grabs in the 2015 auction. Delhi Daredevils on the other side was looking for a promising Indian batsman and with Yuvraj’s availability at the auction table, the management went flat out for acquiring the services of this heroic cricketer. The franchise paid a jaw-dropping amount of 16 crores which till today makes Yuvraj the most expensive player in the history of IPL auctions. In terms of his performances, Yuvraj could only score 236 runs in 10 innings.
