The Indian Premier League (IPL) took the cricket community by a storm ahead of its first edition in 2008. Never before the sport had witnessed players being auctioned.
From being criticised for buying big names like cattle to becoming a much-anticipated event, the IPL auctions have, over the years, set the foundation for the league.
Also Read: India’s 1000th ODIs: Previous milestones and statistical highlights
A franchise’s success – on and off the field – heavily relies on how they strategise and execute their auction plans. Before the IPL 2022 mega auction, let us dive into the history and reflect on some of the best names that went under the hammer.
In the first part, we look at the best picks of the first five seasons between 2008 and 2012.
IPL 2008 Mega Auction
CSK pick M.S. Dhoni for US$ 1.5 million (base USD 400,000): Dhoni was the costliest player in the inaugural IPL auction, going to the Chennai Super Kings for USD 1.5 million. The price tag was expected, as he had just led India to a win in the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007.
Dhoni remains synonymous with CSK’s identity. Under him, CSK have won four IPL titles and two Champions League T20 titles in 12 years to emerge as one of the most successful franchises in the league. At 40, Dhoni remains the face of the Yellow Brigade, having led the side to their latest triumph in IPL 2022.
CSK pick Suresh Raina for USD 650,000 (base USD 125,000): A promising young talent and a future leadership prospect, Raina, then 21, was picked by CSK for more than five times his base price. He went on to be the batting backbone of CSK over the years and remains their highest run-getter of all time.
IPL 2022 retention was the first time CSK did not retain Raina. It will be interesting to see if they bid for him in the auction.
RR pick Shane Warne for USD 450,000 (Base USD 450,000): Like Dhoni, Warne remains the face of Rajasthan Royals despite having played his last IPL match in 2011. He is the brand ambassador and a mentor to the side.
Warne, then 38, already a retired international star, was picked by RR at his base price of USD 450,000. He was appointed both coach and captain of an inexperienced and low-profile side that went on to win the inaugural IPL.
RR pick Shane Watson for USD 125,000 (Base USD 50,000): Unsold in the first auction, Watson re-signed for a second one, where RR him for USD 125,000, less than half of what Delhi paid for his national teammate James Hopes. Even Kyle Mills and Ashwell Prince went at a higher price.
Watson emerged as the Player of the Tournament.
Inarguably the greatest cricketer for RR, he represented them between 2008 and 2015, and had the honour to lead them. Watson has 2,372 IPL runs for RR at 36.5, striking at 141. He is also their highest wicket-taker, with 61 scalps at an economy rate of 7.5.
Also Read: T20Is behind closed doors, 75% for ODIs for India-West Indies T20Is
IPL 2009 Auction
DC pick Dwayne Smith for USD 100,000 (Base USD 100,000): In 2004, a 20-year-old Smith lit up Cape Town with a dazzling run-a-ball century on his Test debut. Five years later, he was again playing in South African soil, playing a significant role in the now-defunct Deccan Chargers’ maiden IPL win.
Smith was picked at his base price of USD 100,000 in 2009. He played eight matches for the Adam Gilchrist-led Chargers, scoring 215 runs that season at a strike rate of 163. He remains one of the unsung heroes of DC’s remarkable season.
IPL 2010 Auction
MI pick Kieron Pollard for USD 750,000 (Base USD 200,000): Pollard had caught everyone’s attention with a couple of dazzling outings for Trinidad & Tobago in the 2009 CLT20. He became the most expensive player in the 2010 auction after Mumbai Indians shelled out USD 750,000 for the West Indian giant (both literally and otherwise).
Pollard almost won MI the 2010 edition. Some poor decision-making saw him bat too low in the tournament final. The current West Indian limited-overs captain remains the spine of the MI unit as the vice-captain to Rohit Sharma, having played a part in all their five IPL title triumphs.
IPL 2011 Mega Auction
MI pick Rohit Sharma for USD 2 million (Base USD 200,000): Rohit had already established himself as a force for DC in the first three seasons, helping them win the tournament in 2009. In a heavy bidding war, MI paid USD 2 million to secure the services of the rising star, already synonymous with Mumbai’s domestic cricket.
The rest is history. The most successful batter in MI’s history, Rohit, the current Indian captain, is also the most successful leader in IPL history. He led MI to five tournament titles alongside a CLT20 win, and currently earns INR 17 crore per season.
KKR pick Gautam Gambhir for USD 2.4 million (Base USD 200,000): Despite having some of the biggest names in the circuit, Kolkata Knight Riders had failed to qualify for Playoffs in the first three seasons. They decided to move away from the glitz and focus on a winning strategy.
Gambhir was among India’s most consistent batters and proved his leadership credentials at various levels. KKR fiercely bid for him, making him the most expensive player in the auction. Not only did Gambhir’s bat talk, but he also led KKR to their first Playoffs in 2011, and to the title in 2012 and 2014. They have not won the IPL since then.
The highest run-getter for KKR, Gambhir is also their most successful captain. And they have been led by Sourav Ganguly, Brendon McCullum and Eoin Morgan.
RCB pick A.B. de Villiers for USD 1.1 million (Base USD 400,000): De Villiers had little success for Delhi Daredevils in the previous seasons, but by this point his reputation had already ballooned in international cricketer.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) already had a rising talent in Virat Kohli. They had now set their sights to further strengthen their middle order by adding firepower and experience. De Villiers fit the job description, and RCB shelled over a million dollars to secure his services.
The South African legend is one of the greatest players in the tournament. Over the next decade, he scored 4,491 runs for RCB at an average over 41, striking at an incredible 159. He retired from cricket in 2021.
CSK pick Dwayne Bravo for USD 200,000 (Base USD 200,000): One of the finest T20 all-rounders, CSK bagged Bravo with their opening bid in the 2012 auction. Considering the Trinidadian’s reputation, it was a surprise that he did not attract more offers.
Bravo has remained critical to CSK’s success over the years, winning two IPL titles (2018 and 2021) and two Purple Caps (2013 and 2015). Not to forget, he is a brand’s delight.
IPL 2012 Auction
KKR pick Sunil Narine for USD 700,000 (Base USD 50,000): Narine’s talent as a mystery spinner was on display in the 2011 CLT20. Making a note, KKR went out of the way to bid for him, paying him 14 times his base price. As they say, the rest is history…
Narine was the Most Valuable Player of the 2012 edition, helping KKR win their maiden title. He remains a vital cog in the KKR setup and has won matches with bat as well.
CSK pick Ravindra Jadeja for USD 2 million (Base USD 100,000): By now, Dhoni had been criticised heavily for going out of his way to back Jadeja in the Indian side. Though Jadeja would later make a mark as a phenomenon in Test cricket, this auction was almost a year ahead of his Test debut. The talent was always apparent, but he was still far from achieving the consistency mark.
Ganguly had made it clear that Pune Warriors India would go all the way for Jadeja. They tried but eventually lost the race to Dhoni’s CSK. In the process, Jadeja became the most expensive player in the auction, fetching USD 2 million, going over 20 times his base price.
Jadeja is currently CSK’s most salaried player, bagging INR 16 crore per season.