Highest bids in the Indian Premier League History: The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been a constant source of exhilaration and surprise since its inception in 2008. One of the most riveting aspects of the league is the player auction, where franchises compete fiercely to acquire the most exceptional talent in the cricketing world. Over the years, the bidding process has witnessed extraordinary and record-breaking sums being offered to secure the services of the game’s finest players.
As each auction unfolds, cricket enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the suspense and drama surrounding these remarkable players, eager to see which franchises will secure their services and at what extraordinary price. With each new season, the bar is set higher, raising the stakes for securing these cricketing superstars.
This article delves into the enthralling journey of the top cricketers who have commanded the Highest bids in Indian Premier League history. Their exceptional skills, remarkable performances, and global popularity have made them the most sought-after players, drawing intense attention from franchise owners and fans alike.
Here is the list of Cricketers who bagged highest bids in Indian Premier League History
1) Nicholas Pooran – Rs 16 crore, 2023
At the IPL 2023 auction, Lucknow Super Giants etched their name in history by acquiring the services of the West Indies’ premier wicketkeeper-batter at an astonishing price of Rs. 16 crore. Initially, the bidding commenced at Rs. 2 crores with Chennai Super Kings joining the fray, but intense competition quickly drove the price beyond Rs. 6 crores. Ultimately, Lucknow Super Giants emerged victorious with an initial bid of Rs. 7.25 crore, eventually sealing the deal for a jaw-dropping sum of over Rs. 10 crore. As other teams, including the Caps, withdrew from the bidding war after the price soared to Rs. 16 crores, Lucknow secured the player, solidifying his position as the fourth most expensive player of IPL 2023 and the fifth most expensive player in IPL history.
2) Chris Morris – Rs 16.25 crore, 2021
South African all-rounder Chris Morris became the most expensive player ever bought in the league during the IPL auction 2021. Rajasthan Royals secured his services for a staggering sum of Rs 16.25 crore, breaking all previous bidding records. Morris, who previously played for various teams, returned to Rajasthan Royals after six years. The bidding war for him commenced at a base price of Rs 75 lakh, attracting intense competition from Mumbai Indians, Punjab Kings, and Royal Challengers Bangalore.
As the amount crossed the Rs 13 crore mark, Rajasthan Royals joined the race and ultimately clinched the deal, making Morris the costliest player in IPL history. His IPL journey began in 2013 when Chennai Super Kings purchased him for Rs 3.32 crore, leaving him astonished by the significant price tag.
3) Ben Stokes – Rs 16.25 crore, 2023
During the IPL 2023 Auction, Chennai Super Kings made a significant move by acquiring the services of the renowned all-rounder, Ben Stokes, sharing the spot of the third-most expensive signing in IPL history with South Africa’s Chris Morris. The bidding war for Stokes commenced at INR 2 crore, with Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals joining the competition, followed by Lucknow Super Giants at INR 7 crore. Subsequently, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings also entered the fray. However, it was the MS Dhoni-led CSK that emerged victorious, securing Stokes for a staggering sum of INR 16.25 crore. This extraordinary deal positioned Stokes alongside Chris Morris in the elite league of players with the joint-third highest price tag ever recorded in the history of the IPL.
4) Cameron Green – Rs 17.5 crore, 2023
Mumbai Indians displayed their confidence in Cameron Green’s abilities by making a substantial investment of Rs. 17.50 crore to secure his services, catapulting him to the position of the second-most expensive player in the IPL. The auction witnessed an intense battle between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians as they vied for the talented Australian all-rounder, whose base price was set at Rs. 2 crore. As the bids escalated rapidly, the price for Green soared past Rs. 7 crores before Mumbai Indians emerged victorious, clinching the deal.
5) Sam Curran – Rs 18.5 crore, 2023
In a record-breaking feat during the IPL 2023 auction, Sam Curran etched his name in IPL history by becoming the most expensive player ever as Punjab Kings secured his services for a staggering sum of Rs. 18.5 crores, which took place in Kochi. The bidding for Curran commenced at a humble Rs. 2 crores, but his stellar performance in the T20 World Cup earlier in the year, where he earned the prestigious Player of the Tournament award, elevated his demand in the market, making him a highly sought-after player. Notably, Curran has surpassed the previous record held by Chris Morris, further solidifying his status as a cricketer of remarkable value and potential in the world of IPL.
6) Mitchell Starc- 24.75 crores, IPL 2024 auction
When record-breaking highest bids in the Indian Premier League history are talked about the name of Mitchell Starc grabs a spot in the list. Mitchell was roped in for a whopping amount of Rs 24.75 crores, thanks to his heroics in the ODI World Cup 2023. Starc has last played in the IPL back in the year 2016 where he has returned with 34 wickets in 27 matches in his brief career in T20 league. And looking at prolific players prowess every franchise wanted to have him in their lineup. But breaking all the competition it was KKR who managed to win the bid from Delhi Capitals (DC), Gujarat Titans (GT), and Mumbai Indians (MI). After grabbing a path-breaking deal, Starc became the most expensive buy in the Indian Premier League history.
6) Pat Cummins, 20.50 crores, IPL 2024 Auction
Aussie players are the ones who rocked the IPL 2024 auction as the second most expensive player in the league was Pat Cummins. The Australian Captain managed to pull off a great sum when SRH roped in the services of Cummins for a whopping amount. Cummins took a break from IPL in last season to focus on his international commitments. His decision yielded fruits as Australia won the WTC mace & ODI World Cup trophy in a single year. Cummins’s whopping 20.50 crore made him one of the biggest bids in the history of the Indian Premier League. There are chances that SRH will hand the leadership of the franchise to Cummins so that they can guide the franchise to a glorious title win.
These are the highest bids in the history of Indian Premier League. If you have some other names in your mind who you think could have acquired a place in this comprehensive then share them with us. We would love to know your choices & the reason why they deserve to get a healthy deal from their respective franchisees.
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