IPL 2018: Most expensive players and their cost per run and wicket

The 11th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) was marked to be the revamp of the squads and some big retentions made ahead of the season. The Player Auction saw huge amounts being traded by the franchises for buying thee players. As many as 10 players who were part of the IPL 2018 took the field with 10+ crores spent on them by their franchises. Here we look at how those players returned to their teams after earning some good money.

1. Virat Kohli (RCB – 17 crores)

Virat Kohli become the most expensive player on the planet when he was retained by the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Though the RCB skipper scored 530 runs in the season, it can be considered to be underperforming one given his recent exploits. His every run is valued 2.67 lakhs and the eight catches he took cost 38.47 lakhs each.

2. Rohit Sharma (MI – 15 crores)

Rohit Sharma has been one of the biggest disappointments especially given the role of leading the Mumbai Indians. The Indian limited-overs opener’s batting position was consistently changed throughout the tournament which failed to get him score at a consistent rate. He scored 286 runs in this season the first time he failed to get 300+ runs in an IPL season. Rohit’s every run is valued at was 3.83 lakhs while each catch he took was at cost of 50.74 lakhs.

3. MS Dhoni (CSK – 15 crores)

The comeback team CSK decided to retain MS Dhoni for 15 crores and announced him as the skipper. The keeper-batsman had his best IPL in terms of performance with the bat scoring 455 runs and 14 dismissals behind the stumps. Dhoni turned back the clock with big hits and scoring runs at a high strike-rate. His every run was valued at 2.2 lakhs while each of his catch and stumpings he made as a keeper were valued at 29.24 lakhs and 58.47 lakhs respectively.

4. Ben Stokes (RR – 12.5 crores)

Ben Stokes turned out to be the most expensive player at the IPL auction for the 2nd consecutive time as he was bought for 12.5 crores by Rajasthan Royals. However, he couldn’t replicate his previous season’s success scoring only 196 runs with each run coming at 2.56 lakhs and took 8 wickets which are valued at 67.98 lakhs each. His six catches in this season cost the franchise 33.99 lakhs.

5. Jaydev Unadkat (RR – 11.5 crores)

Jaydev Unadkat’s dream 2017 helped him to fetch 11.5 crores at the auctions but 2018 turned out to be a disaster. He took 11 wickets in the season conceding runs at a very high economy rate. Every wicket Unadkat took this season cost RR 72.57 lakhs and his 49 runs and 6 catches were at a rate of 2.74 lakhs and 36.28 lakhs respectively.

6. Suresh Raina (CSK – 11 crores)

2018 turned out to be a weird season Suresh Raina despite scoring a decent number of runs. The left-hander turned out to be an anchor to CSK’s batting line-up. Raina scored 445 runs this season with each run coming at an average of 1.95 lakhs. His nine catches were valued at 25.85 lakhs each during this season.

7. AB de Villiers (RCB – 11 crores)

No one would have thought IPL 2018 will be the last time AB de Villiers will be playing as an active International player. The South African was retained by RCB for 11 crores and kept their trust scoring 480 runs in the season. Each run he scored was valued at 1.97 lakhs while each of his catches cost 23.93 lakhs. His one-hander stunner to send back Alex Hales surely deserves more 23.93 lakhs.

8. Hardik Pandya (MI – 11 crores)

Hardik Pandya was one of the three players Mumbai Indians retained ahead of the IPL 2018. He was paid 11 crores having played three seasons at a salary cap of 10 lakhs. He scored 260 runs which were valued at 1.3 lakhs per run. Hardik was leading wicket-taker for MI this season with 18 wickets to his name with each of them at 34.59 lakhs. His eight catches on the field were valued at 17.3 lakhs each.

9. KL Rahul (KXIP – 11 crores)

KL Rahul found hard to be the first choice preference in any format for India but his IPL success will make him one in all the three formats. The keeper-batsman was sold to Kings XI Punjab for 11 crores but his performances surely deserve more. Rahul scored 659 runs which were valued at 1.35 lakhs/run. His glove work was underrated as he took 10 catches and one stumping each valued at 17.83 lakhs and 35.66 lakhs respectively.

10. Manish Pandey (SRH – 11 crores)

Prior to the IPL 2018, Manish Pandey was close in glueing his limited-overs spot with his consistency in the T20Is this year. However, his hopes might be shattered given the competition for the national team and his disappointing performances in the IPL. Pandey was bought for whopping 11 crores by SRH by the Karnataka player scored only 284 runs before getting dropped in the playoff stage. His every run was valued at 2.72 lakhs while the each of his nine catches cost 36.17 lakhs.