Top international players have been bidding fiercely at auction for spots in the Indian Premier League (IPL), which has been a booming hotbed for cricket talent worldwide. Absurd sums have been paid at these auctions in order to acquire experienced international talents. Here are the top five foreign players in IPL history by price before the 2024 IPL auction. The teams wanted to add a significant amount of value to their squads, but these players, with their experience and ability, demanded outrageous bids.
IPL history’s five most expensive foreign players
1. Sam Curran
As England’s talented all-rounder Sam Curran gathered significant traction, the IPL 2023 auction was a flurry of activity. Following his outstanding performance at the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup, when he won Player of the Tournament, Curran shot to prominence. He was acquired by Punjab Kings (PBKS) for an incredible Rs 18.50 crore, creating a stir throughout the bidding process. Major teams like the Mumbai Indians (MI) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) engaged in a bidding war after Curran’s initial offer of just Rs 2 crore.
2. Cameron Green
At the 2023 IPL auction, franchises engaged in fierce competition after Cameron Green stole the show. With the Mumbai Indians, the talented Australian all-rounder signed the largest contract ever for a foreign player, worth Rs 17.50 crore. But that record was quickly broken, as Sam Curran did better that same day at the auction.
3. Ben Stokes
After a heated battle between five teams, CSK won the bid of Rs 16.25 crore to get Stokes. The England Test skipper first drew interest from RR and RCB, despite having a base price of Rs 2 crore. CSK emerged triumphant in the competition for the English all-round player when RCB withdrew after placing a bid of Rs 6.50 crore.
4. Chris Morris
RR paid Rs 16.25 crore to acquire Chris Morris, the most expensive foreign player in IPL history, at the 2021 auction. A fierce bidding battle broke out between MI, RCB, and RR to acquire the services of Morris, who was known for his aggressive batting and devastating bowling in the closing overs.
5. Nicholas Pooran
Nicholas Pooran, who joined LSG for an incredible Rs 16 crore, made headlines as the most expensive wicketkeeper-batter in the 2023 IPL auction. His price tag exceeded the previous record of Rs 15.25 crore set by Ishan Kishan in 2022 while he was a player for the Mumbai Indians. For wicketkeeper-batters in the IPL, Pooran’s acquisition was a critical turning point.
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