The Indian Premier League (IPL) completed six seasons until 2014. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) continued to be the most consistent team in the IPL winning two titles. The Kolkata Knight Riders opened their account in 2012. Mumbai Indians followed suit in 2013. Teams like Bangalore, Delhi, and Punjab were yet to win the trophy. It was at this juncture that the mega auction was set to take place.
Was the third mega auction any different?
IPL was ready for its third mega auction in 2014. Teams now believed in the notion of continuity as compared to the earlier method of an overhaul. It was the Chennai Super Kings who started this tradition in the earlier mega auction in 2011. Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Rajasthan Royals to an extent followed the same pattern. Teams like Punjab though continued their merry way of rejigging the whole setup.
We look at the most expensive player in the auction-> 2014-17
#1 Yuvraj Singh, 2014 – 14.00 crores
It can be argued that it was Yuvraj Singh’s six sixes in the 2007 T20 World Cup that laid the foundation for the IPL. Yuvraj in all fairness though can never really set the IPL on fire as he so often did in international cricket. He always started every season with renewed vigour only to fall short of expectations.
In the 2014 mega auctions, RCB went all out for Yuvraj Singh. The management showed immense faith in Yuvraj’s all-round abilities. They spent a massive INR 14 crores on Yuvraj that season.
#2 Yuvraj Singh, 2015 – 16.00 crores
He didn’t have the greatest of the seasons in 2014 despite being picked as the most expensive player in the auction. Yuvraj Singh was not in fine nick ahead of the 2015 auction.
It was expected that he will face a free fall in the 2015 auction. But Yuvraj’s demand went on to surprise everyone. The Delhi Daredevils went one step further and bought Yuvraj for INR 16 crores. It was an unprecedented amount that sent shockwaves across the circuit.
#3 Shane Watson, 2016 – 9.50 crores
The Royal Challengers Bangalore were keen on having an overseas allrounder in the side. The trio of Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers, and Virat Kohli wanted another dimension to the team. Shane Watson was one of the biggest names in the 2016 auction. Rajasthan Royals’ suspension meant Watson was ripe to be picked. Bangalore splurged INR 9.5 crores for Watson. It was one of the most powerful foursomes ever assembled in IPL history.
#4 Ben Stokes, 2017 – 14.50 crores
There was huge anticipation surrounding Ben Stokes in 2017. The star English allrounder had put forth his name in the IPL auction for the first time. A side like the Rising Pune Supergiant was keen to acquire a player of his calibre. They didn’t mind shelling a whopping amount for Stokes. RPS spent INR 14.50 crores for Stokes. He repaid their faith in handsome style taking the side to the finals. Stokes won the MVP that season.
