IPL 2022 Auction: MS Dhoni to Chris Morris - The most expensive players from the past

Ahead of the IPL 2022 Mega Auction, here is a look at the costliest players from each of the 14 previous auctions in the history of the premier T20 league. Chris Morris holds the record for the most expensive player in an auction.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 mega auction is dominating the headlines in the cricket world as all eyes are on the 2-day carnival, scheduled for February 12 and 13 in Bengaluru. As many as 590 players have been shortlisted to go under the hammer over the next 2 days.

IPL auctions in the past have always generated interest as big stars command big money while a few lesser-known players become million-dollar buys and eventually household names. It all began with MS Dhoni who triggered a bidding war in the first-ever IPL auction in 2008. Over the last 14 years and in as many auctions, several stars have broken the bank.

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Chris Morris, the South Africa pacer who retired from international cricket in January this year, holds the record for the most expensive buy at an auction. Rajasthan Royals paid Rs 16.25 crore to Morris last year. Meanwhile, former India World Cup-winning all-rounder Yuvraj Singh remains the costliest Indian buy an auction when he was sold for Rs 16 crore in 2015.

Here is a complete look at the costliest players from each of the previous 14 IPL auctions.

MS Dhoni was the costliest buy at the IPL 2008 auction. Chennai Super Kings won the bidding war for Dhoni ahead of the inaugural edition of the IPL. Fresh from leading India to the T20 World Cup trophy, Dhoni was the most soufht-after player in the first-ever auction. Mumbai Indians also bid for Dhoni but the presence of Sachin Tendulkar, who was drafted as icon player, made it difficult for them to go after him.

IPL 2009 Auction - Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen - USD 1.55 million