The IPL auction has always been a thrilling spectacle, with unexpected bids, surprising picks, and some players landing contracts that stunned fans and experts alike. Over the years, certain players have made headlines due to their unexpectedly high bids, unsung talent, or being snatched up against the odds. Here are some of the biggest surprises in IPL auction history:
🏏 1. Yusuf Pathan (2010) – Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
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Auction Surprise: Yusuf Pathan’s massive ₹1.9 crore price tag in the 2010 IPL auction raised a lot of eyebrows, especially considering his inconsistent performances prior to the auction. However, he proved his worth by becoming one of KKR’s most influential players, especially with his explosive batting and handy off-spin.
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Why Surprising: Despite being a relative unknown in IPL terms, Yusuf was picked up by KKR in 2010, and the bid was seen as an overestimation at the time. However, his impactful performances made it a sound decision.
🏏 **2. Pat Cummins (2020) – Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
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Auction Surprise: Pat Cummins, a top-tier international bowler, was bought for a staggering ₹15.5 crore by Kolkata Knight Riders during the 2020 IPL auction. This bid was unexpected, especially since Cummins wasn’t known for his IPL performances at the time.
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Why Surprising: Cummins had been sidelined from the IPL for a couple of years before returning, and many considered him more of a test-match specialist than a T20 performer. Despite the skepticism, he turned out to be one of the tournament's standout players, finishing as KKR’s most successful bowler in 2020 and justifying his high price tag.
🏏 **3. Moeen Ali (2021) – Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
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Auction Surprise: Moeen Ali was picked up by Chennai Super Kings for ₹7 crore in the 2021 IPL auction, a significant amount considering his sporadic involvement in the IPL up to that point.
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Why Surprising: While Moeen had performed well in international cricket, he hadn’t had a sustained IPL presence, and many felt his batting wasn’t suited for T20s in India. However, under CSK's management, he showcased his power-hitting ability and versatility with key performances that helped CSK to win the 2021 IPL.
🏏 **4. Chris Morris (2021) – Rajasthan Royals (RR)
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Auction Surprise: In 2021, South African all-rounder Chris Morris was picked up by Rajasthan Royals for an astonishing ₹16.25 crore, making him the most expensive player in IPL history at the time.
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Why Surprising: Morris wasn’t coming off a particularly dominant IPL season, and his inconsistent form in the past raised some questions. However, his performance with the ball and with the bat justified the hefty price tag, and although Rajasthan finished lower in the points table, Morris proved valuable as a key all-rounder.
🏏 **5. Jaydev Unadkat (2018) – Rajasthan Royals (RR)
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Auction Surprise: Jaydev Unadkat became one of the most talked-about players during the 2018 IPL auction when he was bought by Rajasthan Royals for a ₹11.5 crore price tag, a massive increase compared to his prior performances.
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Why Surprising: At the time, Unadkat was a promising but largely untested bowler in IPL terms. His price raised eyebrows because, despite his potential, he hadn’t shown the kind of consistency expected for such a high bid. Despite some ups and downs, he was a key bowler for RR during that season, but his high price tag remains a subject of debate.
🏏 **6. Yuvraj Singh (2015) – Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals)
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Auction Surprise: The 2015 IPL auction saw Yuvraj Singh being bought by Delhi Daredevils for a whopping ₹16 crore, making him the most expensive player of that season.
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Why Surprising: At the time, Yuvraj had struggled with injuries and inconsistent form, especially in the shorter formats. The massive bid was seen as a risk, given his uncertain fitness and recent performances. However, while he had flashes of brilliance, he never fully justified the huge sum, making it one of the most surprising and debated purchases in IPL history.
🏏 **7. Dinesh Karthik (2018) – Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
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Auction Surprise: In 2018, wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for ₹7.4 crore.
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Why Surprising: Karthik had a decent IPL career up to that point but hadn’t been the mainstay in any team. His auction price was surprising because he was handed the KKR captaincy straight away and was expected to lead a team full of star players. Karthik exceeded expectations, taking KKR to the playoffs and emerging as a solid finisher with the bat, justifying his hefty price tag.
🏏 **8. Glenn Maxwell (2021) – Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
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Auction Surprise: Glenn Maxwell's pick by Royal Challengers Bangalore for ₹14.25 crore in the 2021 auction was another significant surprise.
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Why Surprising: Maxwell had been inconsistent in previous IPL seasons, and his past performances raised doubts about whether he was worth such a large sum. However, Maxwell went on to prove his worth by becoming one of the standout performers for RCB in 2021, contributing with both bat and ball, and forming an important part of their middle order.
🏏 **9. Narine Sunil (2012) – Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
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Auction Surprise: In 2012, Sunil Narine, an unknown mystery spinner from the West Indies, was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for a relatively low sum of ₹3.5 crore. However, his impact was far beyond what was expected.
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Why Surprising: Narine had no prior IPL experience, and many fans were skeptical about how a relatively unknown spinner would perform in the high-pressure tournament. He defied all odds and became one of the most effective bowlers, playing a crucial role in KKR’s IPL 2012 victory, and he soon became one of the top spinners in T20 cricket.
🏏 **10. Shreyas Iyer (2015) – Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals)
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Auction Surprise: Shreyas Iyer's selection by Delhi Daredevils for ₹2.6 crore in 2015 was a surprising moment because he was relatively unknown at that time.
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Why Surprising: Iyer was picked in his very first season, and while he had a great domestic season, many thought of him as a potential backup player. However, he soon turned into one of the IPL's most promising young talents, consistently performing as a top-order batsman and later becoming the captain of Delhi Capitals.
🏏 **11. Kagiso Rabada (2017) – Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals)
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Auction Surprise: Kagiso Rabada was bought by Delhi Daredevils for ₹5 crore in the 2017 IPL auction. At that time, Rabada wasn’t a household name in T20 cricket.
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Why Surprising: Rabada had no prior IPL experience and had just begun making a name for himself in international cricket. His pace and skill were evident, and he soon became a star bowler for Delhi, finishing as the leading wicket-taker for them in 2020 and earning widespread recognition in the IPL.
🏏 **12. Pravin Tambe (2013) – Rajasthan Royals (RR)
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Auction Surprise: Pravin Tambe, a 41-year-old leg-spinner, was picked by Rajasthan Royals in the 2013 IPL for just ₹10 lakh, but his story was more about his unexpected IPL entry rather than the price tag.
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Why Surprising: Tambe was not a famous name, and his late entry into the IPL surprised many. However, his performances in the tournament were exceptional, and he quickly became a key bowler for Rajasthan, showcasing that age is just a number.
🧠 Conclusion:
The IPL auction is full of surprises, with certain players often defying expectations. From unexpected price tags to unknown players rising to stardom, these auction shocks have added excitement to the IPL and often led to players carving out incredible careers.