IPL 2021 Auction: Three cricketers who made the franchises empty their pockets
A total of 292 players registered for the IPL 2021 auction but only 57 managed to get the contracts. Ahead of the action on the field this season, the eight franchises fought it out fiercely in the auction room to ensure that they bolster their squad. As usual, the players had mixed fortunes in the auction. While some bagged multi-million dollars contracts, some were sold for just their base prices while some could not even attract a single bid. Overall, Rs 145.3 crores was spent on the 57 players. With the auction now done and dusted, here is a list of the three most expensive buys of the IPL 2021 auction:
3. Glenn Maxwell – 14.25 crores
Looking forward to joining @RCBTweets for this years @IPL
Can’t wait to put everything I have in to helping us lift the trophy!— Glenn Maxwell (@Gmaxi_32) February 18, 2021
After being released by Punjab Kings following his dismal performance in IPL 2020, Glenn Maxwell would not have expected such a huge IPL contract. The hard-hitting Australia batsman has blown hot and cold in the IPL since his breakthrough season in 2014 when he helped Punjab Kings make it to the final. But the temptation of having a player of Maxwell’s calibre in their ranks was just too much to resist for the franchises as they went all out for his services. The likes of Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore bid fiercely for his signature before the Bangalore-based outfit signed him for Rs 14.25 crore.
2. Kyle Jamieson – 15 crores
New Zealand ? Kyle Jamieson is #NowARoyalChallenger! ?
A huge warm welcome to the RCB #ClassOf2021. ??
Price: 1️⃣5️⃣CR#PlayBold #BidForBold #WeAreChallengers #IPLAuction pic.twitter.com/AZAn3HeeYx
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) February 18, 2021
At number two in this list is pace bowling all-rounder Kyle Jamieson. He broke the record for the most expensive New Zealand player in the auction ever after Royal Challengers Bangalore spent a whopping Rs 15 crore for his services. Jamieson had become an instant hit in international cricket since his impressive debut against India last year. He has the ability to dismiss the batsmen with not only bounce but also with his prodigious swing. The likes of Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings were also keen for his services but in the end, Bangalore had the last laugh.
1. Chris Morris – 16.25 crores
Base price – INR 75 Lac
Sold for – INR 16.25 Cr@rajasthanroyals win the bidding war to bring @Tipo_Morris on board. ??@Vivo_India #IPLAuction pic.twitter.com/m5AMqKE1Dy— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) February 18, 2021
Chris Morris is the most expensive buy of this year’s auction after his former IPL team Rajasthan Royals shelled out a whopping amount of Rs 16.25 crores on him. Morris also became the most expensive buy in the history of the IPL. The South African had plied his trade for the Royals in IPL 2015 and had picked up 13 wickets in 11 games. The Royals were involved in furious bidding wars with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and then the Kings XI Punjab but eventually had their man. Morris has played 70 games in the IPL so far and has scored 551 runs at a strike-rate of 157.88 in addition to taking 80 wickets at an economy of 7.81.
