IPL 2021 Auction – Top 10 Most Expensive Buys!

The IPL 2021 Auction witnessed many over the top buys which surprised every one. Players like Umesh Yadav (1 crore INR), Shakib Al Hasan (3.2 crore INR) & Steven Smith (2.2 crore INR) who have IPL experience with them got sold to a price way lesser than expectations – while uncapped first timers like Jhye Richardson, Riley Meredith and Kyle Jamieson fetched humungous deals.

Here are the Top 10 most expensive buys at the IPL 2021 Auction event:

10. Nathan Coulter-Nile (Mumbai Indians)

Base Price: 1.50 crore INR – Sold at: 5 crore INR

The Aussie pacer had more than a decent individual show with Melbourne Stars in Big Bash League and attracted bids despite his mediocre IPL 2020 season. Coulter-Nile who was signed up by Mumbai Indians for a 8 crore INR deal in 2020, goes back to the same team for a 3 crore lesser deal.

Mumbai Indians who are devoid of James Pattinson and Lasith Malinga this season, needed some impactful pace options to support Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult. With the signing of Coulter-Nile, Marco Jansen and Adam Milne, the franchise recouped themselves in that department.

9. Tom Curran (Delhi Capitals)

Base Price: 1.50 crore INR – Sold at: 5.25 crore INR

Tom Curran’s IPL career is far from impressive but the potential he has was never in doubt. SRH and Delhi Capitals went hard for the all-rounder as he gained a 3.75 crore surge to his end deal.

Curran has been an influential T20 cricketer all round the world – much known for his heroics for Surrey and Sydney Sixers. A pacer equipped with more than decent batting skills makes him a valuable asset for any team.

8. Shahrukh Khan (Punjab Kings)

Base Price: 20 lakh INR – Sold at: 5.25 crore INR

The hard-hitting Tamil Nadu batsman Shahrukh Khan was the buzz ahead of the auction. Punjab Kings needed a batsman who can continue the show set by their powerful top order batsmen and Shahrukh fit the bill!

7. Moeen Ali (Chennai Super Kings)

Base Price: 2 crore INR – Sold at: 7 crore INR

Moeen Ali’s last ditch audition with the bat in Chennai Test didn’t go in vain after all. With not many effective spin bowling all-rounders around – Moeen was a constant favorite at the auction. Chennai Super Kings would be hoping for a impactful outing aided by the English all-rounders services.

6. Riley Meredith (Punjab Kings)

Base Price: 40 lakh INR – Sold at: 8 crore INR

Hobart Hurricanes pacer Riley Meredith impressed one and all with his wicket taking ability in Big Bash League. Punjab Kings picked him for a whooping 8 crore deal given they needed to bolster their bowling attack which they figured out to be a problem area. Meredith had a 7.60 crore leap from his base price of 40 lakh. What a way to get sold for the first time!

5. Krishnappa Gowtham (Chennai Super Kings)

Base Price: 20 lakh INR – Sold at: 9.25 crore INR

After a dismisal IPL 2020 outing not many speculated this out come. IPL teams Sunrisers Hyderabad and KKR went hard at him but it was CSK who sneaked in at the end to bag him. The only way to answer why the Karnataka spinning all-rounder got sold for this big could be the teams looking in for a piece to solve their jigsaw puzzle.

4. Jhye Richardson (Punjab Kings)

Base Price: 1.50 crore INR – Sold at: 14 crore INR

Jhye Richardson was the highest wicket taker at the recently concluded Big Bash League tournament in which his team Perth Scorchers finished runners up. Richardson also bowled the most number of dot balls in the tournament for a consecutive time and impressed one and all with his batting skills at the slog. Punjab Kings had their eyes on him right away as they could not make the Chris Morris deal previously!

Welcome to IPL Cricket Jhye – Not a bad way to get your first sale!

3. Glenn Maxwell (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

Base Price: 2 crore INR – Sold at: 14.25 crore INR

With Maxwell the previous season’s form hardly matters. The impact player he is – teams bank on him for those few hard hitting performances which takes the game away from the opposition. Unable to hit a single 6 the previous season with Kings XI Punjab, there was still no doubt Glenn Maxwell was going to fetch huge at the IPL 2021 Auction.

RCB now have the power of Joshua Philippe, AB de Villiers and Glenn Maxwell in the overseas batting department!

2. Kyle Jamieson (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

Base Price: 75 lakh INR – Sold at: 15 crore INR

Kyle Jamieson admittedly woke up at midnight to follow the auction event after initially deciding to sleep through. Boy! was it worth it!

RCB would be hoping Jamieson is their solution to their bowling worries and a handy batsman that he is – RCB’s solution to the issue of lower order collapse is assumed to be taking shape.

1. Chris Morris (Rajasthan Royals)

Base Price: 75 lakh INR – Sold at: 16.25 crore INR

There was no doubt Chris Morris was going to go big again after a 10 crore INR deal with RCB last season – but this big?! The 16.25 crore deal now beats Yuvraj Singh’s 16 crore bid by Delhi Daredevils in 2015.

The Proteas all-rounder was targetted by Rajasthan Royals aggressively as Punjab Kings gave up in the bidding war. RR’s Director of Cricketer Kumar Sangakkara mentioned the franchise has specific plans for Morris to bowl alongside Jofra Archer.

With the inclusion of Christopher Morris – Rajasthan has now extended their batting firepower down the order which made many a comebacks in previous season.