7 Most Expensive Players in the IPL History
IPL is all about the passion and excitement for cricket. It is more of a festival in India. IPL has proved to be the gamechanger for many budding cricketers in India. They get the opportunity to showcase their skills. IPL is a league which provides occasions both to get into limelight as well as to earn some good money.
In this article, we present to you the seven most expensive players of all the seasons:
1. Yuvraj singh- IPL 2014 ( Royal Challengers Bangalore)-14 crores
Yuvraj has been sold for 14 crores in IPL 2014 auction. His value was highest among the all expensive players. No wonder, he has been paid such a hefty sum. He has been the most renowned player of Indian team. He has given some of the memorable performances to the Indian cricket. Everyone knows about the unprecedented knock where he hit six sixes in the over.
In IPL 2014, He scored a total of 376 runs in 14 matches at the strike rate of 135.25. He also hit the three fifties and made spectacular contributions with the bowling by taking the five scalps in the tournament. Youraj broke the hearts of many cricket fans by announcing his retirement from all forms of international cricket on 10 june 2019.
2. Ravindra jadeja – IPL 2012 (chennai super kings) – 12.8 crore:
Chennai super kings had to lay out heavy 12.8 crore for the Ravindra jadeja to be procured after he impressed with his batting and bowling gig. There was a bidding war for him back in 2012.
When CSK procured him, it was one of the highest bidding amounts. Jadeja too stood by their expectations by clinching 12 wickets in 19 matches at the economy rate of 7.80.
On the batting front, his performance was quite impressive where he amassed 191 runs in 19 matches with the strike rate 126.49. Although he made a cameo appearance in batting yet he did make a difference even during a short batting period to take the team to the threshold of victory.
3. Gautam gambhir- IPL 2011 ( kolkata knight riders) – 14.9 crores
Gautam gambhir was acquired by the Kolkata knight riders for 14.9 crores after he had proved his mettle by his amazing performance in the previous IPL season before 2011.
Since he became part of the KKR team, he has played an instrumental role in taking the team to the great heights of victory in 2012 and 2014 IPL seasons.
This Delhi born player scored 378 runs in 15 runs at the strike rate of 119.24.
Gautam gambhir is also the 10th highest run getter in the history of IPL. He has made outstanding runs of 4217 in his entire IPL career.
4. Ben stokes- IPL 2017 ( rising pune supergiant) – 14.5 crore
Ben Stokes made his debut in IPL 2017 where he proved his worth for his high price. This all-rounder provided the special quality to the team he plays for.
He gave brilliant performances in that season by scoring 316 runs in 12 matches with the strike rate of 142.98. He is particularly remembered for his memorable knock of 103 off the 63 balls which made the pune win the match head on.
When Pune reached the final, he played a great innings but Pune could not capitalise on his performance and lost to Mumbai indian by 1 run.
After Pune was dismantled and he was acquired by the Rajasthan royals where he is mesmerising everyone with his performances.
5. Shane watson- IPL 2016 ( Royal challengers bangalore) – 9.5 crore
Shane Watson made his debut in 2008 and he remained the part of Rajasthan royals from 2008 – 2015 where he gave brilliant performances. He was instrumental for Rajasthan royals in winning the inaugural ipl title of 2008.
Owing to his outstanding performances, he was bought by the royal challengers bangalore for the massive sum of 9.5 crores. But he showed poor batting performance and could garner only 179 runs in 16 matches at the strike rate of 133.58. Nevertheless, he was dangerous with the bowling as he made 20 wickets in total.
He was later bought by the chennai super kings and he stayed there till 2020 after which he announced retirement from all forms of international cricket.
6. Andrew flintoff – IPL 2009 ( chennai super kings) – 9.8 crores
In IPL 2009 auction, Andrew Flintoff was sold for hefty 9.8 crores which was the highest amount a player sold in that season. There were many suppositions that he will be worth the amount he was bid for. But he failed to justify his high price tag.
He did not perform better and managed to play only three matches where he scored 62 runs at the strike rate of 116.98. On the bowling front, he took 2 wickets at the economy rate of 9.54.
It was the first and last domestic league where Andrew flintoff played.
7. M.s dhoni – IPL 2008 ( chennai super kings) – 9.5
Ms Dhoni has been dear to everyone who loves cricket. He has given some of the memorable gigs in cricket. Jharkhand-born batsman and wicket keeper, India won the world cup with dhoni at the helm.
Dhoni was acquired by the Chennai super king in 2008 IPL season. In that season he scored 414 runs in total in 16 matches at the strike rate of 133.54. With his amazing contribution, chennai super kings reached the final only to be defeated by the Rajasthan royals by 1 run.
Barring 2016 and 2017, when Dhoni was with the pune supergiants. He has been a loyal player of Chennai super kings.