Lucrative Indian Premier League has seen all highs and lows ever since it started in 2008. In many ways, this year’s auction was much-awaited because of the top-notch players like Steve Smith, Maxwell, etc.
As experts say, Cricket is an unexpected game, so was the mini-auction. South African all-rounder Chris Morris became the most expensive player at an IPL auction after he was bought by Rajasthan Royals for Rs 16.25 crore.
F̶i̶n̶d̶ Found someone who can do both! 💪#IPLAuction2021 | #IPLAuction | #RoyalsFamily | #HallaBol | @Tipo_Morris pic.twitter.com/3bHT1HsgdB
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) February 18, 2021
Morris entered with a base price of Rs 75 lakh. Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore both showed interest before Rajasthan Royals made a belated entry after RCB pulled out at Rs 10 crore. The bidding continued between Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals and the South African all-rounder was finally sold to the Royals.
Australian swashbuckling batsman Glenn Maxwell was bought by RCB for 14.25 crore. The franchise also bagged all-rounder Kyle Jamieson for 15 Crore.
Big Show Maxi is #NowARoyalChallenger! 🤩
A huge warm welcome to the RCB #ClassOf2021. 🙌🏻
Price: 1️⃣4️⃣.2️⃣5️⃣ CR#PlayBold #BidForBold #WeAreChallengers #IPLAuctions2021 #IPLAuction pic.twitter.com/qFKkg4XjOw
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) February 18, 2021
New Zealand 🌟 Kyle Jamieson is #NowARoyalChallenger! 🤩
A huge warm welcome to the RCB #ClassOf2021. 🙌🏻
Price: 1️⃣5️⃣CR#PlayBold #BidForBold #WeAreChallengers #IPLAuction pic.twitter.com/AZAn3HeeYx
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) February 18, 2021
Meanwhile, Australia batsman Steve Smith was picked by Delhi Capitals for Rs 2.2 crore.
Our co-owners @parthjindal11 and Kiran Grandhi speak about the Steve Smith surprise and the Maxwell-Morris phenomenon at the #IPLAuction 🗣️#IPL2021 #YehHaiNayiDilli pic.twitter.com/Ye1FGmMv1G
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) February 18, 2021
Pace bowler Jhye Richardson and Moises Henriques were bought by Punjab Kings for a whopping Rs 14 crore and 4.20 crore respectively.
Jhye Richardson ✔️
Riley Meredith ✔️
Moises Henriques ✔️Aussie hat-trick complete 🥰 🇦🇺#SaddaPunjab #PunjabKings #IPLAuction2021
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) February 18, 2021
The auction also focused on uncapped players and rewarded them for their brilliant domestic circuit. All-rounder Krishnappa Gowtham was bought by CSK for Rs 9.25 crore.
Welcome to the #SuperFam @gowthamyadav88, Bowl us over with #Yellove! #WhistlePodu #SuperAuction 🦁💛 pic.twitter.com/z238P0rKWP
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) February 18, 2021
T-20 star Shahrukh Khan was bagged by Punjab for a hefty 5.25 Cr. He was in remarkable form in the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and he made a major hand in Tamil Nadu winning the title for the second time.