Five most expensive overseas buys in the history of the IPL Auction

IPL Auctions have been great not only for the Indian players but also for the overseas players who have got huge deals in the IPL Auction. There have been many overseas players who have got deals worth more than a million which has helped them immensely in their life. 

Most of the expensive buys come during the Mini Auctions when only a few big names are up for grabs. Few franchises have huge purses in Mini Auction and they tend to spend huge amounts of money for one or two players. As a result, we see a lot of these expensive buys in the small auctions as compared to the Mega Auction which happens once every three years. So let us have a look at the five most expensive overseas buys in the history of the IPL Auction. 

5. Glenn Maxwell – 14.25 CR

Over the years, Glenn Maxwell has always been an expensive buy. Maxwell has never come at a cheap price and he has got greater despite performing poorly in the previous season. Maxwell had a poor 2020 IPL season where he couldn’t hit a single six for Punjab Kings and so they released him. In the next auction, which was the 2021 Auction he was once again in high demand.

Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings were in a bidding war for the Australian all-rounder and RCB eventually won the bidding at 14.25 CR. With a huge bid of 14.25 CR, Maxwell is the fifth most expensive overseas buy in the history of the IPL Auction. 

4. Ben Stokes – 14.5 CR

After watching Jos Buttler play in the IPL, Ben Stokes who is one of the world’s finest all-rounders gave his name for the 2017 IPL. Before the auction, all the talk was about Ben Stokes, and as predicted he became the most expensive buy in the 2017 IPL Auction. 

Rising Pune Supergiant who wasn’t in the bidding war till the last moment entered the bidding very late and managed to get Ben Stokes for 14.5 CR. It was a great buy as he was the Most Valuable player in that season. 

3. Kyle Jamieson – 15 CR

Kyle Jamieson who had a dream start to his Test career is the third most expensive overseas buy in the history of the IPL Auction. Royal Challengers Bangalore who had already spent 14.25 CR on Glenn Maxwell went all out for the Kiwi pacer and got him for a whopping 15 CR. It didn’t quite work out in their favor as he was dropped from the side in the second leg of the IPL. 

2. Pat Cummins – 15.5 CR

Another overseas fast bowler is part of the list of the most expensive overseas buys in the history of the IPL. Pat Cummins who is the No.1 Test bowler had missed the IPL in 2019 and was up for grabs in the 2020 IPL Auction. Many teams were interested in him as he is the world’s premier fast bowler.

Kolkata Knight Riders entered late in the bidding and managed to buy Pat Cummins for a record-breaking, at that time, 15.5 CR. Cummins was part of the KKR setup for two seasons in 2020 and 2021. Even though he didn’t do anything extraordinary he was a key player of the XI.

1. Chris Morris – 16.25 CR

The mini-auction which took place in 2021 saw three of the five most expensive overseas buys in the history of the IPL Auction. Not only that but it also saw the most expensive buy in the history of the IPL. Chris Morris who has now retired from all forms of cricket was released by Royal Challengers Bangalore and was back in the Auction.

Rajasthan Royals who wanted another fast bowler to partner Jofra Archer broke the bank and bought Morris for 16.25 which is the highest price for any player in an IPL Auction so far. Morris had a great first leg in 2021 but failed miserably in the second half so it was a mixed bag for Rajasthan Royals.