IPL 2018: 5 Most expensive players in the auction

The much-awaited auction for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) was another exciting event as teams went out there in the hunt for players, were involved in a bidding war, there were strategic moves made, RTMs were used to steal back their players and unknown players were pooled and bought to stun all others.

Each team had a different style and approach depending on their retained players, remaining budget and team combination that they wished to build. Whilst teams like Kings XI Punjab and Delhi Daredevils were bidding for almost every player, other franchises like Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore exhibited a more conservative approach.

The RTM card was used for some of the most valuable players as teams like KXIP felt hard done after losing more than a couple of players to the use of this card. Marquee players were expected to draw huge bids but certain players like Ishan Kishan, Krunal Pandya and Sanju Samson also got hefty paycheques.

As expected many players earned a sum in excess of the 10 crore mark. Here are the top 5 most expensive players in the IPL 2018 auction:

1. Ben Stokes (Rajasthan Royals) – 12.5 crore

After a successful debut campaign in the IPL, Ben Stokes was always going to be one of the highest grosser in this year’s auction. There was a speculation that Rajasthan Royals were going to build their team around Stokes. Royals did as expected and broke the bank to acquire the man. The all-rounder is set to be the costliest auction buy for two consecutive years.

Stokes is an aggressive left-handed batsman and a right-arm medium fast bowler. He comes with a rich experience in the shorter format of the game and has the ability to take on bowlers when he is in prime form. He hit 316 runs at an average of 31.60 and a strike rate of 142.98 which included a half century and a century apiece. He also managed to pick up 12 matches in the 12 games that he played.

2. Jaydev Unadkat (Rajasthan Royals) – 11.5 crore

Unadkat is a very effective bowler in the shorter format of the game and has also played for India and made quite a mark bagging the Player of the series award against Sri Lanka in the recently concluded T20I series. He played for the Kolkata Knight Riders at the start of his IPL career and then continued to feature for teams like RCB and RPS (last year). His performance with the Supergiant was exceptional where he maintained a good economy at the start as well as the death overs.

The left-arm pacer has the ability to bowl deliveries in the right areas and also has a good change of pace deliveries which makes him a very effective bowler irrespective of when he comes on to bowl. Unadkat has great bowling records – his best being 5/25 against the Delhi Daredevils. He is also the most expensive pacer of the auction and is truly a great buy for the Royals who can do wonders with the ball in hand.

3. Manish Pandey (Sunrisers Hyderabad) – 11 crore

Manish Pandey set the IPL on fire when he became the first Indian to score a century in the tournament back in 2009. KKR were expected to use their RTM card on him but they refrained from doing so, probably because of his price tag. He has represented multiple teams throughout his 10-year IPL career, but his most memorable time was at Kolkata Knight Riders. He has scored over 2000 runs in his IPL career and is one of those batsmen who can anchor the innings.

Sunrisers Hyderabad definitely bought Pandey by keeping his 2017 exploits in mind. He scored almost 400 runs in 14 matches at an impressive average of 49.50. He provided many match winning performances as he took Kolkata Knight Riders over the finish line. He will be looking to blend along with Shikhar Dhawan and David Warner and bring the silverware back to Hyderabad.

4. KL Rahul (Kings XI Punjab) – 11 crore

Rahul was another Indian player who was bought for 11 crore. This time, it was Kings XI Punjab who decided to dig deep into their pockets. Lokesh Rahul was again expected to be retained by his former team RCB with the RTM card but the price he acquired was a factor that stopped them. Rahul has been in and out of the Indian team due to injuries. He would love to have a fruitful IPL campaign ahead of the Asia cup.

The opener was amazing for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2016 campaign where he scored 397 runs in 14 matches. His average – 44.11 and strike rate – 146.49 meant that he soon received a national call-up. He missed the entire 2017 season due to injury. KXIP haven’t signed a specialist keeper and KL is expected to don the gloves as well.

5. Chris Lynn (Kolkata Knight Riders) – 9.6 crore

Kolkata Knight Riders shocked many when they decided not to retain Gautam Gambhir and Lynn. Lynn had been an absolute beast for them in 2017. He scored 295 runs in just 7 outings for the team. His average last season was a mind-blowing 49.16 and he scored runs at a blistering rate – 180.98. The Knight Riders were not allowed to use their RTM card on him as they had already bought 2 foreign players, but they did well to get their man back.

The Aussie hard hitter possesses the skill to destroy any bowling line up on his day. Excluding his injury concern, there is no flaw with this top class T20 batsman. Lynn and Robin Uthappa in the side ensure Kolkata do not need to worry about their opening pair. If he can stay injury free, Lynn could well be the player to take KKR to the title in IPL 2018.

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