Updated: 21 April 2022
Just like the IPL 2021 auction, the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction is a land of opportunity for players from all over the globe. The bidding events for cricketers who have yet to play an international game are significant for the uncapped or lesser-known players. Occasionally, uncapped cricketers wind up becoming the most costly players in the IPL.
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It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance for these guys to share a dressing room with some of the greatest cricketers in the world. In addition, they are under enormous pressure to perform well to justify the considerable sums of money invested in them. And a strong performance might lead to an international call-up.
Here are the five most expensive uncapped players in IPL history & their performance
1. Krishnappa Gowtham – INR 9.25 crores
Kings XI Punjab’s Krishnappa Gowtham did not have a stellar IPL 2020 season. One wicket was taken by the spin-bowling all-rounder in a couple of matches, with an average of 84 and 42 runs. As a result, just a few people anticipated that the 32-year-old would get a large number of offers.
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On the other hand, Chennai Super Kings and SunRisers Hyderabad went all out for him, with the former paying INR 9.25 crores to get his services. This makes him the most expensive uncapped player sold in an IPL auction. In 2018, he had his most outstanding season with the Rajasthan Royals, scoring 126 runs and taking 11 wickets in 15 games.
2. Krunal Pandya – INR 8.8 crores:
Since joining Mumbai Indians in 2016, all-rounder Krunal Pandya has been an integral part of the team. In 2017, Mumbai Indians won the Indian Premier League championship thanks largely to Krunal Pandya’s 47 runs in the final. Thus, the champions used the right-to-match card and invested INR 8.8 crores in the Baroda cricketer.
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Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah were also integral members of the team. The 29-year-old was also a crucial component of the squad. In 2018, Krunal played 14 games and grabbed 12 wickets at a strike rate of 145.22 while scoring 228 runs. Pandya made his international debut in the shortest format in November of last year.
3. Pawan Negi – INR 8.5 Crores:
In the 2016 IPL auction, Pawan Negi became the most expensive Indian player ever. When the Delhi Daredevils signed Pawan Negi for a whopping INR 8.5 crores, he was long away for the Indian national squad. Consequently, the 28-year man became a household name when the Delhi-based business made a public offer for him.
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But the spin-bowling all-rounder from Delhi couldn’t impress the club. Negi appeared in eight games and scored 57 runs with a batting average of 28.50. At the same time, he took only one wicket at an abysmal average of 84. A year later, in March 2016, the left-arm spinner won a T20 cap against the United Arab Emirates and secured a figure of 3-0-16-1.
4. Varun Chakravarthy – INR 8.4 crores:
IPL 2020 saw Varun Chakravarthy shine for the Kolkata Knight Riders, who acquired him for an astounding INR 8.4 crores from Kings XI Punjab. Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Kings XI Punjab were all in a three-way contest for Varun Chakravarthy’s INR 20 lakh base price. In the end, the Punjabi franchise won the contract.
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However, the mysterious leg-spinner could not go on the expedition they had hoped for in Punjab or was given an insufficient opportunity. He featured in only one game, yet the 29-year-old captured as many interests as he did. It all changed for Varun when he was signed by Kolkata Knight Riders the following year. He took 17 wickets in 13 games, including a five-wicket haul.
5. Riley Meredith – INR 8 crores:
Australian Riley Meredith’s base price of INR 40 lakhs was not bid on before the auction for the IPL 2020 season. Before the 14th season, though, the speedster was sought after by most teams, and he became one of the most costly players. Punjab Kings agreed to pay INR 8 crores for Meredith.
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Mohammed Shami, Ishan Porel, Chris Jordan, Arshdeep Singh, and fellow countryman Jhye Richardson joined Riley Meredith in a potent bowling attack in IPL 2021 with an average pace of 140 kph. The 25-year-old also had a successful BBL season, collecting 16 wickets at 24.62 in 13 games for the Hobart Hurricanes in 2020-21.
