IPL 2018 auction: Highest paid cricketers at the auction every year and how they fared in that year
From the time the Indian Premier League (IPL) started in 2008, it has grown into one of the biggest tournaments across the world. We’ve seen the world engrossed in it, the players have admitted that they love playing the IPL and the fans as always are thrilled.
And even though, the IPL takes place in April-May, the excitement starts from January when the auction takes place. And there absolutely no doubt that everyone looks out for who gets sold for the maximum amount.
Hence, as we enter a new decade of the IPL and with the much-awaited auctions just a few days away, let’s go back and have a look at the highest paid cricketers at each auction and how the respective player fared in that season.
Note – The first 6 seasons (till 2013) the player auctions had prices in US Dollars (USD) and the converted values (to INR) are shown. These values have been approximated.
2008
MS Dhoni (6.1 crore) – Chennai Super Kings
After his success at the inaugural World T20 as captain and considering his batting prowess, there was no surprise when Mahendra Singh Dhoni became the highest paid cricketer during the inaugural IPL auction. Chennai Super Kings, owned by India Cements, made the highest the highest bid for the Ranchi cricketer.
In the 2008 IPL, Dhoni had a stellar season. He led the CSK franchise to the final of the tournament and was also in brilliant form with the bat. He scored 414 runs at an average of 41.40 and a strike-rate of 133.54.
Dhoni continued to CSK excellently as CSK became one of the most successful franchises over the first 8 seasons before being banned for two years.