IPL captains who aren’t the costliest in the team
The IPL 2023 mini auctions saw a subtle shift in the power center. Captains commanding the highest price isn’t necessarily a norm anymore. There are six teams in the competition that don’t have their highest-paid players as captains. It isn’t to say that only the highest-paid players are valuable ones. There is a lot that goes into choosing and nominating a leader. It isn’t always the price that dictates the proceedings. Let us look at IPL captains who aren’t the costliest in the team in detail.
We look at 5 IPL captains who aren’t the costliest in the team:
#5 Faf du Plessis – RCB
The Royal Challengers Bangalore were on the lookout for a new captain after Virat Kohli relinquished captaincy in 2021. It came as little surprise that Faf du Plessis would lead Bangalore once he was bought in the auction. RCB’s acquisition of Faf for INR 7 crores was a steal. His leadership qualities, athleticism, and opening prowess make him a solid prospect. But Faf isn’t even among the top 5 earners in RCB.
#4 Shikhar Dhawan – PBKS
The Punjab Kings are notoriously famous for rejigging their squads every other year. They were quick to oust the captain whom they had appointed before the mega auction. PBKS announced veteran batsman, Shikhar Dhawan as their new skipper. Dhawan was brought for INR 8.25 crores in the mega auction.
PBKS broke the bank in acquiring Sam Curran for the highest-ever price in the league’s history (INR 18.5 crores). Dhawan, the captain is the fifth-highest earner in the PBKS team.
#3 MS Dhoni – CSK
He was the highest-paid player of the Inaugural IPL auction in 2008. CSK stunned the auction room when they bought MS Dhoni for INR 6 crores back then. Dhoni has since then remained one of the highest-salaried players in the IPL. He was CSK’s second retention ahead of the mega auction.
Dhoni’s pay cheque amounted to INR 12 crores. Both Ravindra Jadeja (INR 16 crores) and Deepak Chahar (INR 14 crores) drew bigger salaries than Dhoni last year. CSK’s high-profile acquisition of Ben Stokes for INR 16.25 crores pushes Dhoni to the fourth spot in the yellow brigade.
#2 Shreyas Iyer – KKR
He was KKR’s flagship signing last year. The franchise had expected a fatter pay cheque for Shreyas Iyer when he went into the auctions. KKR bought Iyer for INR 12.25 crores. It did feel a tad underwhelming number as Iyer is seen as someone who can lead the national team in the future.
It slotted him right behind Andre Russell in the pecking order of salaries drawn at KKR. The allrounder was KKR’s first retention ahead of the mega auction wherein he was signed for INR 16 crores.
#1 Rohit Sharma – MI
He is Mumbai’s blue-eyed boy. Rohit Sharma for the third mega auction running was MI’s first choice retention. Mumbai retained him for INR 16 crores. Their bid (INR 15.25 crores) in the mega auction for Ishan Kishan almost threatened to steal Rohit’s thunder.
It didn’t take the record to last for too long as Mumbai broke all their previous records in pursuit of Cameroon Green. The five-time champions spent a massive moolah of INR 17.50 crores on the Australian allrounder.
