The IPL 2021 auction was held in Chennai on February 18th where new records were set for the most expensive players. Chris Morris became the most expensive player in the history of IPL as Rajasthan Royals signed him for a whopping INR 16.25 Crores.
In a four-way bidding war, RCB gave up at INR 9.75 Crores and Rajasthan Royals entered at INR 10.25 Crores with Mumbai Indians still in the hunt. The last one to enter the bidding for Chris Morris was Punjab Kings at INR 13.50 Crores who went as far as INR 16 Crores.
Kyle Jamieson and Glenn Maxwell were the other two most expensive buys in the auction. Jamieson, who has played only 4 T20Is for New Zealand was bought for INR 15 Crores. A poor 2020 season was no hurdle for Maxwell as RCB spent INR 14.25 Crores for the Australian all-rounder. Royal Challengers Bangalore stacked up their all-rounders’ department well as they added Daniel Christian in the mix for INR 4.8 Crores.
Punjab Kings were among the top bidders in the auction who were in the race for Morris, Maxwell, and Shakib Al Hasan. While they lost the bid for these players, PKS made headlines signing Jhye Richardson and Riley Meredith for INR 14 Cores and INR 8 Crores respectively. The two Australian fast bowlers accounted for over 45% of Punjab’s purse at the IPL 2021 auction.
The overseas players weren’t alone in making history at the auction. Krishnappa Gowtham, a right-arm off break bowler from Karnataka, became the highest earning uncapped player in the history of IPL auction. Chennai Super Kings bought him for INR 9.25 Crores in an intense bidding war with SRH. Another highlight signing among the uncapped Indian players was Shahrukh Khan, an all-rounder from Tamil Nadu who signed with Punjab Kings for INR 5.25 Crores.