Kyle Jamieson termed it “surreal”. Jyhe Richardson said it was “life changing”, while Tymal Mills referred to it as a “crazy experience”.
The IPL auction has made a number of overnight, and unsuspecting, millionaires down the years, as franchises try to find any edge they can get over each other – no matter the cost.
According to research by Cricket Bet India of every deal made since 2013, there have been 11 players to average over $1 million at auction.
That includes one-offs like Mills, but also the likes of Yuvraj Singh and Dinesh Karthik, who have swapped teams a number of times.
Ahead of the start of the 2021 season this month, here is a list of the players who have averaged the highest cost when they have gone under the hammer.
1. Kyle Jamieson
Average price $2,045,387
The New Zealand all-rounder is under pressure to help cure Royal Challengers Bangalore’s bowling ills in his first IPL season, but will be well remunerated for his troubles.
2. Jhye Richardson
Average price $1,908,712
The 24-year-old Australian seamer termed the bid which took him to Punjab Kings this season as “life changing”.
3. Ben Stokes
Average price $1,839,449
The England all-rounder is the highest value player among players who have been sold more than once at auction.
4. Tymal Mills
Average price $1,635,284
Injury issues have stunted the English fast bowler’s progress, but he did have one huge IPL pay day.
5. Glenn Maxwell
Average price $1,362,555
The Australian all-rounder has been in the auction five times – and fetched more than a million dollars on four of those occasions.
6. Chris Morris
Average price $1,180,313
Smashed the record for the highest price ever at an IPL auction when Rajasthan Royals bought the South African for this season.
7. Sheldon Cottrell
Average price $1,158,397
The Jamaican left-armer was a big money signing, but struggled in his debut season for Kings XI Punjab last season.
8. Dinesh Karthik
Average price $1,113,889
The much-travelled wicketkeeper has been the most expensive Indian player at auctions.
9. Riley Meredith
Average price $1,090,451
The Australian fast bowler became an IPL millionaire this year, after a bidding war between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings.
10. Yuvraj Singh
Average price $1,090,044
Six-hitting prowess and celebrity appeal meant Yuvraj regularly fetched top dollar at auction.
11. Ravichandran Ashwin
Average price $1,035,929
If you believe Tim Paine, Ashwin has moved around the franchises because his teammates don’t like him. His finance manager must love him, though.
12. Jofra Archer
Average price $981,624
The England fast bowler was an IPL millionaire long before he became an international star.
13. Mitchell Starc
Average price $981,040
Starc has been absent from the IPL for some time now, even though the Aussie quick is highly valued when he is available.
14. Shane Watson
Average price $919,725
A multiple title-winner, and a centurion in the 2018 final, it is fair to say Watson was worth the outlay.
15. Pat Cummins
Average price $899,286
Became the costliest overseas signing till that point when Kolkata Knight Riders recruited him last season.
16. Rashid Khan
Average price $885,661
The Afghan trailblazer has proved his worth since Sunrisers Hyderabad first took a chance on him.
17. Dwayne Bravo
Average price $872,533
A serial champion, as his song goes, and enviably well off now, too.
18. Colin Ingram
Average price $872,346
The South African left-hander is a well-travelled global T20 tourist.
19. Manish Pandey
Average price $865,222
Five franchises have hired Pandey’s services down the years, and he has been prolific with the bat.
19. Sam Curran
Average price $865,222
Started out at Kings XI Punjab, and now part of future planning at Chennai Super Kings.
21. Varun Chakaravarthy
Average price $844,784
Hoped to land a job in architecture in Dubai before he made it in cricket. IPL contracts can be lucrative, too.
