The IPL auctions are one of the fun aspects of the cash-rich league. Several players go under the hammer every year and end up going for huge prices. The concept was very revolutionary when it was introduced ahead of the first season of <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/tag/ipl-auction/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IPL in 2008</a>. The system stayed even though a lot of changes have been made over the years.

Previously, only Indian capped players and overseas players would go under the hammer but later, uncapped Indian players also started getting opportunities at the auctions. The system is so intriguing that it adds another dynamic to the league. But, even for the teams, it took some time to get used to this system. It has taken the time to understand how to strategically use the auction to make a good team.

Ahead of the mini-auction for the 2021 IPL, CricTracker decided to look back and discuss the best and worst buys for each of the franchises during the history of the tournament. There could be more than one ‘best buys’, but we are including only the ones whom we feel have had the most impact on the side.

Here are the team-wise best and worst buys of all-time in IPL Auction history:

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-146899" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Gautam-Gambhir-2017-IPL.jpg" alt="Gautam Gambhir of Kolkata Knight Riders" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-146899" class="wp-caption-text">Gautam Gambhir of Kolkata Knight Riders. (Photo: Dhananjay TK/IANS)</figcaption>

Kolkata Knight Riders never spent their money without proper planning. They are a very strategic planner when it comes to the auction. However, for the first three seasons, the franchise didn’t have any really good performances. They finished sixth twice and last once. It was the auction of 2011 when they made their best buy, a decision which made them a great unit in the years to come.

It was Gautam Gambhir, who was sold at the time for INR 11.04 crore, the highest bid for any player ever. Gambhir had three good seasons with the bat with Delhi and also led them in one season. His abilities as a captain were on the show even during the one home series where he captained India.

Kolkata needed someone to shape the team and Gambhir became the architect and torchbearer of the side. Under his leadership, the franchise won two IPL trophies. He was finally released after a mutual discussion between him and the franchise ahead of the 2018 IPL.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-414314" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Mashrafe-Mortaza.jpg" alt="Mashrafe Mortaza" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-414314" class="wp-caption-text">Mashrafe Mortaza. (Photo Source: Getty Images)</figcaption>

Kolkata’s worst buy was without a doubt Mashrafe Mortaza, also known as the Narail Express. In the 2009 IPL auction, the legendary Bangladesh fast-bowler was bought for $600,000 (INR 2.6 crore) after his name had become quite famous in the aftermath of India’s loss to Bangladesh in the 2007 World Cup.

He played only one match and gave away 58 runs in four overs. He was tasked with defending more than 20 runs in the final over against the defunct Deccan Chargers, and he failed to do that. He never played for them after this, nor did he get a chance to play for any other IPL team.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-456561" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/AB-de-Villiers-2.jpg" alt="AB de Villiers" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-456561" class="wp-caption-text">AB de Villiers. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption>

In 2011, AB de Villiers was one of the best talents in world cricket. He was yet to be made the South African captain and he was just itching to become called the best batsman in the world. He was part of the Delhi franchise back then. He had played for them for the first three seasons and had successful outings mostly.

However, they decided to let him go, which now seems like a huge mistake. ABD was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore for INR 5 crore and his impact was seen in the very first match which the team played in the 2011 IPL. He scored a match-winning 54 to seal RCB’s win in the first match of the season and hence began the great love story between Bangalore fans and ABD.

In the years to come, the South African batsman stuck to the franchise through thick and thin and has been a consistent batsman for them. He is the second run-getter for RCB after Virat Kohli, with over 4000 IPL runs. He was one of the best buys in IPL history.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-130553" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Tymal-Mills-2.jpg" alt="Royal Challengers Bangalore RCB" width="600" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-130553" class="wp-caption-text">Royal Challengers Bangalore. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

RCB have had a few bad buys to their name. There have been players who have promised a lot and didn’t fire in the league. But, Tymal Mills’ performance and the hype behind him deserves to take the cake. The left-arm pacer had made a name for himself in county cricket and quickly took the tag of a ‘T20 specialist’.

RCB went for him to fill their fast-bowling void and ended up picking him for INR 12 crores. He had really bad returns as he played just five matches before getting dropped. He never played in the IPL again.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-461474" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/MS-Dhoni-CSK.jpg" alt="MS Dhoni CS" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-461474" class="wp-caption-text">MS Dhoni of CSK. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

This was not very tough to guess. During the first IPL auction, a lot of the Indian players who went under the hammer didn’t create as much hype as MS Dhoni did. He was India’s ODI and T20 captain, had a World Cup to his name, was one of the most destructive batters they had but wasn’t an icon for any IPL franchise.

Only Rajasthan and Chennai didn’t have any icon players at the time as no famous India player was there in their state. Chennai went to a bidding war with Royal Challengers Bangalore but eventually won after the price had gone to INR 6 crore.

Dhoni ended up being the highest bid in the auction that year. Since his entry to the CSK, he created a team and made them the best in this league and also one of the best T20 teams ever. Without a doubt, it was a historic snatch which CSK made that season.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-346537" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Andrew-Flintoff.jpg" alt="Andrew Flintoff" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-346537" class="wp-caption-text">Andrew Flintoff. (Photo by Tom Shaw/Getty Images)</figcaption>

In the second season, English cricketers were going under the hammer for the first time. It was two players who had created the most amount of noise. Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff. The two stars were picked by RCB and CSK respectively for INR 7.5 crore, which was the highest bid for any player at the time.

While KP was relatively successful, Flintoff didn’t have a great impact on CSK. He played just three matches before getting injured and was ruled out. He never came back to play for any franchise in the IPL.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-414137" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Shane-Watson-Rajasthan-Royals.jpg" alt="Shane Watson Rajasthan Royals" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-414137" class="wp-caption-text">Shane Watson Rajasthan Royals. (Photo source: PRAKASH SINGH/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption>

After not being auctioned out in the first leg of the 2008 IPL auction, Shane Watson found himself in the second leg. The all-rounder had already achieved a tag for being a World Cup winner but had a history of getting injured at the wrong time.

For any team, that would be a risk. However, Rajasthan was going to make the purchase, just to add the cutting edge to their line-up. Purchasing Shane Watson’s services was the best buy Rajasthan ever made. In his first season, he scored 472 runs and took 17 wickets.

His performance ensured Rajasthan that they were going to win the inaugural edition and Watson was named the man of the tournament. He has since played for two other franchises, but his most recalled performances were for his first franchise, Rajasthan Royals.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-350858" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/CT_362562.jpg" alt="IPL" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-350858" class="wp-caption-text">Jaydev Unadkat. (Photo: Surjeet Yadav/IANS)</figcaption>

Jaydev Unadkat bowled his heart out during the 2017 IPL. He represented the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant and was the highest wicket-taker for the franchise with 24 wickets from 12 matches.

He had got an India call-up as well. With him going into the auction, everyone knew that the need of the hour was an Indian fast-bowler and to everyone, Unadkat was a hot pick.

After a serious bidding war, Royals secured Unadkat&#8217;s services for INR 11.5 crore, a purchase which they would go on to regret. He played 15 matches and picked up 11 wickets, at an average of 44.18 and an economy of 9.65.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-457738" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/David-Warner-4.jpg" alt="David Warner" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-457738" class="wp-caption-text">David Warner. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption>

David Warner in 2014 was a regular member of the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/crictracker/photos/4281250541905634" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Australian</a> team. Like any other Aussie player, Warner was in high demand at the auction. He also had a fairly good IPL record on his back to make his case a little better. The left-handed batter was expected to get big money at the auction and so he did.

He was bought by SRH for INR 5.5 crore. At the time, he seemed like a reasonable buy, but in 2021, he can be called nothing short of a masterstroke. Since his entry in the Hyderabad franchise, Warner’s runs tally at the end of every season have been: 528, 562, 848, 641, 692 and 548.

Under his leadership, SRH also lifted the trophy in 2016. In addition to this, he has won the orange cap thrice. If this isn’t one of the best IPL purchases ever and we don’t know what is.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-239607" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Deepak-Hooda.jpg" alt="Deepak Hooda" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-239607" class="wp-caption-text">Deepak Hooda of SRH plays a shot. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

An Indian all-rounder has a lot of value at the auction of the IPL. So, it was quite obvious when Deepak Hooda was in high demand during the 2016 auctions. He had made a lot of headlines after putting up a match-winning knock in the previous season for Rajasthan and was scoring runs heavily in the domestic circuit.

He was bought by SRH for INR 4.2 crore from the base price of INR 10 Lakhs. He managed 144 runs at an average of 10.28. He failed to cross even 100 runs in a season in the three upcoming seasons for SRH but he kept his spot.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-462847" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Rishabh-Pant.jpg" alt="Rishabh Pant" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-462847" class="wp-caption-text">Rishabh Pant. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption>

In 2016, Rishabh Pant became a popular name in cricket circles after he scored the fastest U19 fifty during the ICC U19 World Cup in Bangladesh. His name started to pop out in the news more than often and he landed himself a contract with the Delhi franchise.

He was already playing his domestic cricket for Delhi, so they went all-out for Pant. He was bought by Delhi for INR 1.9 crore, a price he justified to them in the upcoming seasons. He didn’t have a great season in 2016 but kept getting better. In 2018, he scored 684 runs for Delhi with a strike rate of over 170. Since then, he has stayed a regular member of the franchise and is most likely to play for them for many seasons. Currently, he is one of their key players and is their main wicketkeeper.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-482415" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Yuvraj-Singh.jpg" alt="Yuvraj Singh" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-482415" class="wp-caption-text">Yuvraj Singh. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

In 2014, Yuvraj Singh played for RCB after he was bought for a record amount of INR 14.5 crore. He had a decent season but was released ahead of the 2015 auction. However, this time Delhi went all in for Yuvraj.

They spent INR 16 crore on him but the senior pro failed to make an impression. He scored just 248 runs with an average of less than 20 and released next season. Till date, that is the most expensive purchase ever made at an IPL auction.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-464245" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Rohit-Sharma-2.jpg" alt="Rohit Sharma" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-464245" class="wp-caption-text">Rohit Sharma. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption>

The right-handed batsman was going to be in high demand during the 2011 auction. He had performed quite well for Deccan Chargers (Hyderabad) in the first three seasons of the IPL and there were few franchises who were looking to get him under their ranks.

But, it was the home franchise of Mumbai who kept at the bidding war to get him under their side. He was finally bought by Mumbai for INR 9.2 crores. Ever since stepping in the Mumbai Indians colours, he has not disappointed anyone.

He has been their captain, won five IPL titles for them and scored loads of runs. His contribution to the Mumbai franchise in the cash-rich league is something close to unimaginable. If anyone has paid back their franchise with more than what they got, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/rohit-sharma-hilariously-caught-using-curse-word-while-celebrating-indias-memorable-win-in-brisbane/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rohit Sharma</a> is the one.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-410978" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Ricky-Ponting.jpg" alt="Ricky Ponting" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-410978" class="wp-caption-text">Ricky Ponting .(Photo by Qamar Sibtain/The India Today Group via Getty Images)</figcaption>

The former Australian captain was bought by Mumbai Indians in 2013 for the base price of INR 2 crore. He was brought in as the captain of the side after Harbhajan Singh and Sachin Tendulkar had stepped down from the position.

Ponting had a horrid start with the bat as he managed only 52 runs from six matches at a strike rate of 70. He dropped himself out of the team and handed over the captaincy to Rohit. Mumbai won the trophy for the first time that year, and there has been no longing back since then.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-461389" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/KL-Rahul.jpg" alt="KL Rahul" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-461389" class="wp-caption-text">KL Rahul. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption>

Royal Challengers Bangalore had made a surprising call by letting go off KL Rahul ahead of the IPL 2018 auctions. Kings XI Punjab didn’t jump on Rahul at first go but got into the bidding war as soon as the price went up.

After minutes, they bought him for INR 11 crores, something which they should look back and feel good about. The wicketkeeper-batsman has done everything for Kings XI in the last few seasons.

He scored 659 runs in 2018, 593 runs in 2019 and 670 runs in 2020. He has kept wickets in most of these matches and also took over as the captain in the previous season. He is expected to be at the franchise for many more years to come and build their side.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-333181" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Varun-Chakravarthy.jpg" alt="Varun Chakravarthy" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-333181" class="wp-caption-text">Varun Chakravarthy. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

The mystery spinner had emerged from the Tamil Nadu Premier League in 2018 and ahead of the 2019 IPL auctions, there was a sense that Varun Chakravarthy would get a team. He was bought by Punjab for INR 8.4 crores.

He played only one match and went for 35 runs and never played another game for the franchise. He was later bought by KKR in 2020 and went on to play a handful number of matches with successful returns.

Some colossal names in the list.

Team-wise best and worst buys of all-time in IPL auction history

The IPL auctions are one of the fun aspects of the cash-rich league. Several players go under the hammer every year and end up going for

Team-wise best and worst buys of all-time in IPL auction history

Some colossal names in the list.

8. Kings XI Punjab:

Best: KL Rahul

Worst: Varun Chakravarthy