IPL 2022 Auction: Most Expensive Players Each Year From 2008-2021

IPL 2022 Auction is set to be held on February 12th-13th at Bengaluru, where as many as 590 players will go under the hammer, and 10 franchises would look to build a perfect squad and a core base for the next 2-3 years.

Many esteemed and established players will be available for auction along with some young talent who have caught eyes with their impressive and consistent performances in domestic circuits. An intense bidding war is expected for many players and it'd be interesting to see which players become the most expensive buy this year and for how much. 

Let's have a look at the most expensive players in the IPL auction year-wise from 2008-to 2021. 

2008 - MS Dhoni (1.5 million USD - CSK)

In the inaugural edition of the IPL, a record was made by India's multiple ICC trophies-winning captain MS Dhoni in the auction. All 8 IPL franchises at the time participated in the bidding war for the wicketkeeper-batter and captain, and after an intense bidding war with Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings acquired MS Dhoni for 1.5 billion USD. Dhoni repaid the faith and has led the franchise to the title for a record 4 times. 

2009 - Andrew Flintoff (1.55 million USD - CSK), Kevin Pietersen (1.55 million USD - RCB)

The English duo of Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen became the most expensive buys in the IPL 2009 auction, for a sum of 15.. million USD each. Andrew Flintoff was acquired by Chennai Super Kings while Kevin Pietersen was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore. Interestingly, Flintoff short stay at IPL ended with a knee injury after just 3 matches. 

2010 - Shane Bond (750,000 USD - KKR), Kieron Pollard (750,000 USD - MI)

The New Zealand pacer and the Windies all-rounder became the most expensive buys in the IPL 2010 auction, with a price of 750,000 USD each. Shane Bond was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders while Kieron Pollard was acquired by Mumbai Indians, and has now been with them ever since, lifting the IPL trophy for a record five times. 

2011 - Gautam Gambhir (2.4 million USD - KKR)

The former Indian opener and the highest run-scorer for India in both T20 World Cup 2007 finals (75) and World Cup 2011 finals (97), emerged as the most expensive buy in the IPL 2011 auction. The left-handed batter was acquired for a price of 2.4 million USD by Kolkata Knight Riders and led them to two IPL trophies. 

2012 - Ravindra Jadeja (2 million USD - CSK)

India's ace all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who was banned for a year from the IPL, returned to be the most expensive buy in the IPL 2012 auction. Jadeja was bought by Chennai Super Kings for 2 million USD, and apart from the 2 years CSK was banned, he has remained with the franchise throughout. The player has been retained by CSK for a maximum cap of 16 crores INR. 

2013 - Glenn Maxwell (1 million USD - MI)

The Australian 'Big Show', who was an uncapped player at the time was the most expensive buy in the IPL 2013 auction, for a price of 1 million USD by Mumbai Indians. However, he didn't play many games for the team and changed teams in the next season. 

2014 - Yuvraj Singh (14 crores INR - RCB)

India's World Cup 2011 hero and a legend of the white ball cricket, Yuvraj Singh went for a mind-boggling 14 crores to Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL 2014 auction. 

2015 - Yuvraj Singh (16 crores INR - DD)

Yuvraj Singh broke his own record of being the most expensive player in the very next auction, where he was bought at a price of 16 crores INR by the Delhi Daredevils. Yet again, he left the team after one season and was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad later. 

2016 - Shane Watson (9.5 crores INR - RCB)

Shane Watson emerged as the most expensive player in the IPL 2016 auction when Chennai and Rajasthan were banned for two seasons and all the players in these two squads were made available for the auction. Royal Challengers Bangalore acquired the services of the retired Australian all-rounder. 

2017 - Ben Stokes (14.5 crores INR - RPSG)

Ben Stokes entered the IPL auction for the first and was bought for a mammoth amount of 14.5 crores INR. Stokes became the most expensive overseas buy in the IPL at that time. 

2018 - Ben Stokes (12.5 crores INR - RR)

Ben Stokes yet again became the most expensive buy-in two consecutive seasons, bagging 14.5 crores INR in IPL 2018 auction from Rajasthan Royals. 

2019 - Jaydev Unadkat (8.4 crores INR - RR), Varun Chakravarthy (8.4 crores INR - KKR)

India's one of the most successful bowlers in the domestic circuit, the left-handed pacer Jaydev Unadkat bagged 8.4 crores in the IPL 2019 auction, bought by Rajasthan Royals. Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy was also acquired for Rs. 8.3 crores by Kolkata Knight Riders, and has been retained for 8 crores by the KKR ahead of IPL 2022 Auction. 

2020 - Pat Cummins (15.5 crores INR - KKR)

Australia test captain surprised everyone as he was bought for as much as 15.5 crores INR by Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2020 auction. With this, Pat Cummins became the most expensive buy of the tournament history till then. An intense war between PBKS & DD was waged after KKR ented the bidding late and bought the player with just two bids. 

2021 - Chris Morris (16.25 crores INR - RR)

To this day it can be argued if the South African deserved such a big amount. Morris was bought by Rajasthan Royals in the last year's IPL 2021 auction and became the most expensive overseas player ever.