Most expensive players in IPL history: Morris breaks Yuvraj's record

Chris Morris shattered records to become the most expensive player sold in the history of IPL auction. Morris was picked up by Rajasthan Royals for 16.25 crores - which is the highest bid for any player in IPL auction.

Morris has dethroned Yuvraj Singh as the most expensive IPL player. In 2015, Delhi Daredevils had purchased Yuvraj Singh for Rs 16 crores which at that time was the highest any team had ever paid for a player.

Going into the auction the South African all-rounder had a base price of Rs 75 lakh.

After an intense bidding war between Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore, Morris finally went to the Rajasthan side for the record amount.

The fourth most expensive purchase in IPL history is also from the 2021 auction. New Zealand pacer Kyle Jamieson became the second-most expensive player of IPL auction 2021 and the third most expensive player in the history of IPL auctions after being picked up by Royal Challengers Bangalore for INR 15 crores. His base price was INR 75 lakh.

Here's a list of the top 5 most expensive players in IPL history so far-

Chris Morris -16.25 crores (Rajasthan Royals, 2021)

Morris had a base price of 75 lakh. At first Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals were battling for the South African all-rounder, who was released by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) ahead of IPL 2021.

Morris has played 70 matches in IPL so far, scoring 555 runs at an impressive strike rate of 157.87. He has 80 wickets to go with it at an economy rate of 7.81.

Morris had a pretty decent last season with RCB. In 9 matches, he picked up 11 wickets at an economy rate of 6.63. But his low returns with the bat was perhaps one of the reasons why they decided to let go of him.

Yuvraj Singh - 16 crores (Delhi Daredevils, 2015)
All-rounder Yuvraj Singh is the second costliest player in the history of the IPL. With the base price of Rs 2 crores, Delhi Daredevils, in the year 2015 placed a bid of Rs 16 crores on him. This made him the most expensive player in the history of IPL then.

He was also the most expensive player in 2014 with RCB's bid for him at Rs 14 crores.

Pat Cummins - 15.5 crores (Kolkata Knight Riders, 2020)
Australian bowler Pat Cummins is the third most expensive player in the history of IPL. In the year 2020, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) offered the highest bid of Rs 15.5 crores for Pat Cummins.

Kyle Jamieson - 15.00 crores (Royal Challengers Bangalore, 2021)

Jamieson attracted bids from Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings, and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). However, in the end, Jamieson went to RCB for INR 15 croress.

Former India opener Gautam Gambhir who had predicted that Jamieson will be one of hot picks of IPL 2021 auction, said he never expected him to go for 15 cr.

"Yes, I predicted it but never expected that he would go for 15 crores. He hasn't played T20 cricket much but hopefully, he does well in the IPL," said Gambhir on Star Sports.

Ahead of the IPL auction Jamieson had said he doesn't pay too much attention to the IPL auction.

Ben Stokes - 14.5 crores (Rising Pune Supergiants, 2017)

England all-rounder Ben Strokes was the most expensive player in the tenth season of IPL in the year 2017. Rising Pune Supergiants placed the highest bid of Rs 14.5 crore on him, which makes him the fifth most expensive player in IPL history.

He was also the most expensive player in the year 2018. He attracted a bid of Rs 12.5 crore from Rajasthan Royals.

Glenn Maxwell's position in the top 5 of players who came under the hammer at an IPL auction lasted only three hours in the ongoing auction. Kyle Jamieson has muscled him out. He was bought for INR 14.25 crores by RCB.