Top 5 Most Expensive Picks in IPL 2023 Auction

The Indian Premier League (IPL) mini-auction saw certain players igniting bidding wars between franchises in order to acquire the services ahead of the new season. The IPL auction is easily one of the most eagerly awaited events and fans as well as the cricketers look up to this event with much anticipation to see what transpires.

A total of 405 players went under the hammer from the 991 players registered for the auction initially. From this list- 131 bowlers, 61 batters, 155 all-rounders, and 58 wickets keepers were up for grabs on December 23 in the mega event in Kochi.

It is no secret that the cash-rich league has changed many players lives with a tantalizing cocktail offering both fame and money. Adding to this, not just the local players but also the ones from overseas look forward to the event and hope to garner experience playing with high-profile stars. The road to the season begins with the auction and cricketers remain on the edge of their seats to watch the event unfold on their TV and phones.

Like the previous auctions, this mini-auction too, saw some big purchases and interestingly a few of them even etched their names in the history books. Sam Curran became the most expensive buy in an IPL auction when Punjab Kings procured the services of the star Englishman for a whopping INR 18.5 crore. Never has a player ever been brought for a price since the inception of the lucrative T20 league that the Punjab franchise put forth for Curran. The English all-rounder relished a terrific campaign in the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2022 as he was adjudged the Player of the Tournament. Therefore, it was not much of a surprise that numerous franchises were interested to make a swoop for the player.

Cameron Green of Australia, followed the trend of sparking off a bidding war when Delhi Capitals and five-time IPL winners, the Mumbai Indians locked horns for his services. Matters quickly escalated when Mumbai seemed determined to acquire the player ahead of the new season and rightfully did so. Green was brought by Mumbai for a record-breaking INR 17.50 Cr.

Sam Curran’s compatriot, Ben Stokes also attracted interest from multiple franchises after the star all-rounder played a crucial role in England’s T20 World Cup winning campaign earlier this year in Australia. Entering at 2 crores, RCB, RR and LSG began the initial rounds of raising the paddles before Chennai Super Kings joined the fray and eventually landed Stokes for INR 16.25 crore. 

Nicholas Pooran’s services were acquired by Lucknow Super Giants for INR 16 crore which makes him the fourth costliest pick by a franchise this auction. The wicketkeeper-batter was released by SRH after being picked up in the mega auction for INR 10.75 crore last edition.

Harry Brook was the first big buy of the 2023 auction as Sunrisers Hyderabad acquired his services for a mammoth INR 13.25 crore. Brook was the top run-getter with three back-to-back centuries to his name in the recently-concluded Test series in Pakistan and has been terrific with the national side in his outings. He became the fifth highest pick in the bidding arena ahead of the forthcoming season.

Top five most expensive players in the IPL auction 2023-