There is a lot of planning that goes into an IPL auction. Teams prepare quite well in advance for the auction. Their preparation is top-notch. Teams often look to plug the gaps in the annual auctions. The mega auctions on the other hand are a totally different beast. Teams build or rebuild their sides owing to the mega auctions. Here are the Best IPL Auction Player Picks.
Best IPL Auction Player Picks
#1 2008: Sohail Tanvir, Rajasthan Royals (INR 40 lakhs)
Rajasthan Royals picked Sohail Tanvir for a salary of INR 40 lakhs. But Tanvir proved to be a valuable proposition for RR as he ended up picking 22 wickets in just 11 games. He was the first-ever winner of the purple cap. His figures of 6-14 against CSK in the inaugural season was an IPL record for 11 seasons!
#2 2009: JP Duminy, Mumbai Indians (INR 4.56 crores)
2009 auctions were a pretty low-key affair as compared to the inaugural auctions. Mumbai Indians managed to sign JP Duminy for INR 4.56 crores. Duminy proved to be a worthy buy as he scored 372 runs in 13 innings.
#3 2010: Kieron Pollard, Mumbai Indians (INR 3.45 crores)
Mumbai Indians probably changed their fortunes forever in the 2010 auctions when they signed up Kieron Pollard. MI acquired Pollard for INR 3.45 crores. An investment that has paid off quite well for them over the years.
#4 2011: Rohit Sharma, Mumbai Indians (INR 9 crores) | Gautam Gambhir, Kolkata Knight Riders (INR 11 crores)
IPL 2011 auctions probably saw two of the biggest ever signings in the IPL. These signings changed the fortunes of two teams forever. MI picked Rohit Sharma and the rest as they say is history. Sharma led MI to 5 championship wins in 8 years (2013-2020). Gautam Gambhir led KKR to 2 IPL wins in 3 years (2012 & 2014).
#5 2012: Ravindra Jadeja, Chennai Super Kings (INR 9.8 crores)
CSK bought Ravindra Jadeja for INR 9.8 crores in 2012 IPL auctions. CSK is now incomplete without Jadeja. It was such an iconic signing.
#6 2013: James Faulkner, Rajasthan Royals (INR 2.16 crores)
James Faulkner was key to RR’s success in 2013. He picked up 28 wickets in 16 games that season. Faulkner is only one of the two bowlers to have picked 2 5-wicket hauls in a single season.
#7 2014: Andre Russell, Kolkata Knight Riders (INR 60 lakhs)
KKR bought Andre Russell for just INR 60 lakhs. The amount seems unbelievable for arguably one of the best IPL players. Russell was part of KKR’s 2014 winning team. He won the MVP award in 2015 and 2019. What a valuable signing!
#8 2015: Hardik Pandya, Mumbai Indians (INR 10 lakhs)
If 2014 saw KKR buying Russell for a paltry amount then 2015 was MI’s turn to acquire Hardik Pandya. In fact, MI bought Pandya for an even lesser amount (INR 10 lakhs). Pandya had a huge impact on MI’s fortunes. MI retained Pandya for INR 11 crores in 2018 auctions!
#9 2016: Mustafizur Rahman, Sunrisers Hyderabad (INR 1.4 crores)
Mustafizur Rahman played a crucial role in SRH’s title-winning campaign in 2016. He even won the “Emerging Player of the Year” award in 2016. He remains the only foreign player to have won the award in 13 IPL seasons.
#10 2017: Kagiso Rabada, Delhi Daredevils (INR 5 crores)
DD managed to acquire Kagiso Rabada for INR 5 crores. He has been Delhi’s bowling lynchpin since then. He even won the purple cap in 2020. Rabada has 69 wickets in 42 games.
#11 2018: Kane Williamson, Sunrisers Hyderabad (INR 3 crores)
Kane Williamson stepped in as SRH captain in the absence of David Warner. Williamson bought for just INR 3 crores ended up winning the orange cap that season. He scored 735 runs and is now one of the most valuable players for SRH.
#12 2019: Jonny Bairstow, Sunrisers Hyderabad (INR 2.2 crores)
Jonny Bairstow turned on the heat in IPL 2019. He scored 445 runs in 10 games. Bairstow averaged over 55 and struck at 157.24. He is one of the most fearsome openers in IPL.
#13 2020: Sam Curran, Chennai Super Kings (INR 5.5 crores)
Sam Curran was the only shining light for CSK in a forgettable campaign in 2020. Curran excelled with both the bat and the ball. CSK is pretty certain to retain him ahead of the mega auction next year.
#14 2021: Moeen Ali, Chennai Super Kings (INR 7 crores)
Moeen Ali is one of the major reasons for CSK’s turn of fortunes this season. Ali has been brilliant with both the bat and the ball. CSK and Ali have found a great partner in each other.
#15 IPL 2022: ????
