Feb 12 (IndiaToday) – The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 mega auction is dominating the headlines in the cricket world as all eyes are on the 2-day carnival, scheduled for February 12 and 13 in Bengaluru. As many as 590 players have been shortlisted to go under the hammer over the next 2 days.
IPL auctions in the past have always generated interest as big stars command big money while a few lesser-known players become million-dollar buys and eventually household names. It all began with MS Dhoni who triggered a bidding war in the first-ever IPL auction in 2008. Over the last 14 years and in as many auctions, several stars have broken the bank.
Chris Morris, the South Africa pacer who retired from international cricket in January this year, holds the record for the most expensive buy at an auction. Rajasthan Royals paid Rs 16.25 crore to Morris last year. Meanwhile, former India World Cup-winning all-rounder Yuvraj Singh remains the costliest Indian buy an auction when he was sold for Rs 16 crore in 2015.
Here is a complete look at the costliest players from each of the previous 14 IPL auctions.
IPL 2008 Auction – MS Dhoni – USD 1.5 million
MS Dhoni was the costliest buy at the IPL 2008 auction. Chennai Super Kings won the bidding war for Dhoni ahead of the inaugural edition of the IPL. Fresh from leading India to the T20 World Cup trophy, Dhoni was the most soufht-after player in the first-ever auction. Mumbai Indians also bid for Dhoni but the presence of Sachin Tendulkar, who was drafted as icon player, made it difficult for them to go after him.
IPL 2009 Auction – Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen – USD 1.55 million
The inaugural edition was a huge success and as expected the auction and the following season was bigger than year before. A sea of overseas heroes and India stars signed up for the auction.
RCB shelled out USD 1.55 million to Kevin Pietersen who was then one of the most followed international stars.
CSK topped the list once again by getting all-rounder Andrew Flintoff for the same amount.
IPL 2010 Auction: Shane Bond and Kieron Pollard – Rs 4.8 crore
The IPL 2010 season saw a mini-auction in which teams splashed money to add firepower to their existing squad.
Mumbai Indians were the biggest winners from the auction as they snapped up a young Kieron Pollard for Rs 4.8 crore. Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore also went after the West Indies all-rounder who had shone in the Champions League earlier that year.
Meanwhile, Kolkata Knight Riders spent big money on Shane Bond, who was at the peak of his prowess for New Zealand.
IPL 2011 auction – Gautam Gambhir – Rs 14.9 crore
Gautam Gambhir pushed the bar for auction buys at the IPL 2011 mega auction. Fresh from the World Cup succe, Gambhir triggered a bidding war and was eventually bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for the whopping sum.
IPL 2012 auction – Ravindra Jadeja – Rs 12 crore
Jadeja had become a household name with his exploits for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL even before he made a mark in international cricket. Chennai Super Kings did not miss an opportunity to snap up the all-rounder for Rs 12 crore.
Jadeja has been a core member of CSK ever since. He was retained as their first pick for Rs 15 crore ahead of IPL 2022 mega auction.
IPL 2013 auction – Glenn Maxwell – Rs 6,3 crore
Glenn Maxwell was the costliest player in the mini auction as Mumbai Indians bought him for Rs 6.3 crore, the only million-dollar buy in that year.
IPL 2014 auction – Yuvraj Singh – Rs 14 crore
Yuvraj Singh had returned to international cricket after winning a battle with cancer and there was plenty of demand for the star all-rounder. He was bought by RCB for Rs 14 crore. Dinesh Karthik came a close second after getting Rs 12.5 crore from Delhi Daredevils.
IPL 2015 auction – Yuvraj Singh – Rs 16 crore
Yuvraj was the star of the auction once again. The World Cup-winning all-rounder fetched Rs 16 crore, setting a new auction record in the 2015 season. He was bought by Delhi Daredevils.
IPL 2016 auction – Shane Watson – Rs 9.5 crore
Royal Challengers Bangalore broke the bank to get Australia’s World Cup-winning all-rounder Shane Watson at the auction. However, his association with the side did not go well due to the star’s poor form.
IPL 2017 auction – Ben Stokes – Rs 14.5 crore
Rising Pune Supergiant flaunted their big-money signing Ben Stokes after snapping up the England all-rounder for Rs 14.5 crore.
IPL 2018 auction – Ben Stokes – Rs 12.5 crore
When Rajasthan Royals returned from a 2-year suspension, they made sure they had all the attention at the auction table. They went behind Ben Stokes and got the England all-rounder for Rs 12.5 crore.
IPL 2019 auction – Varun Chakrvarthy, Jaydev Unadkat – Rs 8.4 crore
Left-arm seamer Jaydev Unadkat was sought-after at the auction table in 2019. Rajasthan Royals paid Rs 8.4 crore to secure his services while Varun Chakravarthy, a then uncapped player, fetched a big deal from Punjab Kings.
IPL 2020 auction – Pat Cummins – Rs 15.5 crore
Australia all-rounder Pat Cummins set a new record for the most expensive auction buy in 2020 when he forced a bidding war. Kolkata Knight Riders paid Rs 15.5 crore to secure his services. He has not been retained by the 2-time champions ahead of the big auction.
IPL 2021 auction – Chris Morris – Rs 16.2 crore
Morris remains the most expensive player to have ever been bought in an auction in the IPL. Rajasthan Royals paid Rs 16.2 crore for him but his performances on the field did not justify the price tag.
