In the upcoming IPL 2024 Auction, 333 players will be up for grabs as 10 teams aim to pick a total of 77 players for their squads. It’s worth noting that this auction is unique as it’s the first time it’s happening outside of India.
Table of Contents
Let’s revisit some memorable moments from past auctions, such as MS Dhoni joining the Chennai Super Kings in 2008 and Sam Curran becoming the most expensive player ever in the tournament.
Expensive Players In IPL Auction History
Let's take a look back at the most expensive players of each IPL season💰
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) December 18, 2023
Who do you think will be the most expensive player in the IPL 2024 auction?🔨 pic.twitter.com/dzaGxootA4
1. IPL 2008: MS Dhoni
In the first season of the IPL, MS Dhoni, the former captain of the Indian cricket team, became the most expensive player to be bought. Chennai Super Kings won the bidding war against Mumbai Indians and signed Dhoni for Rs 9.50 crore.
Since then, Dhoni has led CSK to five IPL titles and secured two Champions League T20 titles in 2010 and 2014.
2. IPL 2009: Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff
Royal Challengers Bangalore spent a lot of money to get former England captain and batsman Kevin Pietersen, paying a huge amount of Rs 9.80 crore for his services.
At the same time, Chennai Super Kings also made a significant purchase by adding former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff to their team, spending Rs 9.80 crore on him during the 2009 auction.
3. IPL 2010: Kieron Pollard and Shane Bond
In the 2010 auction, Kolkata Knight Riders signed former New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond for Rs 4.80 crore. In his first IPL season as a player, Bond took nine wickets in eight matches.
At the same auction, Mumbai Indians secured the services of West Indies’ Kieron Pollard for the same amount, and this turned out to be a great deal. The Rs 4.80 crore investment in Pollard proved to be a bargain as he played a crucial role in helping MI win five IPL titles.
4. IPL 2011: Gautam Gambhir
In the 2011 IPL auction, the Indian opener became the priciest player, as Kolkata Knight Riders spent Rs 14.90 crore to acquire his services. This made him the most expensive player in IPL history, and he was also appointed as the new captain of the team.
During his seven-year tenure with the Kolkata-based franchise, Gambhir led Kolkata Knight Riders to two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014.
5. IPL 2012: Ravindra Jadeja
In the 2012 IPL auction, Chennai Super Kings invested Rs 12.80 crore to bring the Indian all-rounder into their squad. This opportunity arose after the disbandment of Kochi Tuskers in 2011, making Jadeja available for auction.
Jadeja turned out to be a valuable and enduring asset for the Chennai-based franchise, contributing significantly to their success by playing a key role in winning three IPL titles.
6. IPL 2013: Glenn Maxwell
The powerful Australian all-rounder was signed by Mumbai Indians for Rs 6.30 crore in the 2013 auction. Despite the high price tag, he didn’t get many chances to showcase his skills, participating in only three games and scoring 36 runs with an average of 18.
7. IPL 2014: Yuvraj Singh
In the 2014 IPL auction, the former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh became the most expensive player, securing a bid of Rs 14 crore from Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). During that season, he performed well, being the second-highest run-scorer for RCB with a total of 376 runs in 14 matches.
8. IPL 2015: Yuvraj Singh
In the next auction, Yuvraj Singh switched from Royal Challengers Bangalore to Delhi Daredevils, and the team spent a whopping Rs 16 crore to acquire the all-rounder.
During his time with Delhi Daredevils, Yuvraj scored 248 runs in 14 innings with an average of 19.07. He also managed to hit two half-centuries.
9. IPL 2016: Shane Watson
In the 2016 IPL auction, the ex-Australian all-rounder was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore for Rs 9.50 crore. Watson had a notable performance, becoming the second-highest wicket-taker for RCB that season with 20 wickets in 16 matches. He also contributed 179 runs with the bat.
After spending one more season with RCB, Watson moved to Chennai Super Kings in 2018.
10. IPL 2017: Ben Stokes
In the 2017 IPL auction, the English all-rounder became the most expensive player, signing with Rising Pune Supergiants for Rs 14.50 crore.
During the 2017 season, Stokes performed well, scoring 316 runs in 11 innings with an average of 31.60. He also took 12 wickets, contributing to Rising Pune Supergiants reaching the final, although they lost to Mumbai Indians in the championship match.
11. IPL 2018: Ben Stokes
After their comeback following a two-year ban, Rajasthan Royals made a significant investment in Stokes, spending Rs 14.50 crore on him in the 2018 auction.
During that season, the English player scored 196 runs in 13 innings and also took eight wickets for the 2008 champions.
12. IPL 2019: Jaydev Unadkat and Varun Chakravarthy
In the 2019 IPL auction, the left-arm Indian pacer received a bid of Rs 8.40 crore from Rajasthan Royals. He took 10 wickets in 11 matches with an economy of 10.66. Despite his efforts, Rajasthan Royals finished second from the bottom in the points table.
On the other hand, Kings XI Punjab spent the same amount of money on spinner Varun Chakravarthy. However, this move didn’t turn out well as he played just one game, taking only one wicket, and Kings XI Punjab finished in the sixth position.
13. IPL 2020: Pat Cummins
In the 2020 IPL auction, Kolkata Knight Riders made a strong effort to sign Australia all-rounder Pat Cummins. KKR successfully secured his services by paying Rs 15.50 crore, beating competition from Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore.
During his three seasons with KKR, Cummins performed well, taking 12 wickets in 14 matches and scoring 146 runs with an average of 20.85. Now, he is part of the pool of players available for auction in IPL 2024.
14. IPL 2021: Chris Morris
In the 2021 IPL auction, the former South African all-rounder was bought by Rajasthan Royals for a significant sum of Rs 16.50 crore.
Morris, who has a lot of experience in the IPL, had a decent performance, taking 15 wickets in 11 matches and scoring 67 runs with a strike rate of 136.73. Despite his contributions, Rajasthan Royals didn’t perform well and finished second-last in the points table.
15. IPL 2022: Ishan Kishan
In the 2022 IPL auction, Mumbai Indians made a significant effort to acquire wicket-keeping batter Ishan Kishan, spending Rs 15.25 crore on him.
Kishan had an impressive performance, scoring 418 runs in 14 matches and making 13 catches behind the stumps. Despite his individual success, it turned out to be the worst season for the five-time champions, as they finished last in the points table.
16. IPL 2023: Sam Curran
In the 2023 IPL auction, Punjab Kings set a record by making Sam Curran the most expensive signing in IPL history, spending Rs 18.50 crore to secure his services.
Punjab Kings faced competition from several other teams like Chennai, Lucknow, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Rajasthan but successfully signed Curran. In the season, Curran scored 376 runs and took 10 wickets, but despite his efforts, Punjab Kings finished in the eighth position on the points table.
17. IPL 2024: Mitchell Starc
In the 2024 IPL auction, the Kolkata Knight Riders made history by signing Mitchell Starc for a whopping Rs 24.75 crore, making him the most expensive player ever in the IPL.
Despite facing competition from teams like Chennai, Lucknow, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Rajasthan, Kolkata Knight Riders successfully secured Starc’s services.
Also Read: IPL AUCTION 2024: WHERE, WHAT, HOW MANY EVERYTHING EXPLAINED
