The cash-rich Indian Premier League mega auction has lived up to its billing so far, with prices hitting the roof on multiple occasions. A host of players went above the staggering Rs. 10 crore mark, including Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, and Prasidh Krishna.
However, the biggest buy came from the Mumbai Indians camp, as the five-time champions bought back explosive left-handed batsman and wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan for a massive Rs. 15.25 crore.
The 23-year-old was expected to be one of the most expensive buys in this auction. As expected, he drew the most attention from the teams. The versatile youngster, with a base price of Rs. 2 crore, had the Sunrisers Hyderabad interested from the very beginning along with his old franchise MI.
The bids for Kishan came thick and fast as the price skyrocketed, eventually closing at Rs. 15.25 crore, as he became the most expensive player to be purchased in this auction.
There were several other huge buys made during the course of the auction, with teams spending a bomb on some players that not many expected to draw so much money. Earlier in the day, Royal Challengers Bangalore made two successive big-buck signings, as they roped in both Harshal Patel and Wanindu Hasaranga for a whopping Rs. 10.75 crore.
Kolkata Knight Riders also picked up Shreyas Iyer for an astronomical Rs. 12.25 crore, who will perhaps be their captain heading into the next edition of the Indian Premier League.
Indian all-rounders had a great day in the auction, drawing large sums of money. Deepak Chahar broke the bank as his previous franchise Chennai Super Kings went to great lengths to buy him back, ultimately spending Rs. 14 crore.
Shardul Thakur also was the centre of attention for a number of teams, as he ended up getting a final bid of Rs. 10.75 crore from the Delhi Capitals.
There were some other very expensive buys as well, as West Indies wicketkeeper-batsman Nicholas Pooran heads to the Sunrisers Hyderabad for 10.75 crore.
New Zealand speedster Lockie Ferguson was also got the big bucks, costing the Gujarat Titans a sum of Rs. 10 crore. Karnataka pacer Prasidh Krishna also had a wonderful day at the auction, going to the Rajasthan Royals for Rs. 10 crore, where he will form a terrifying pace attack with Kiwi Trent Boult and leggie Yuzvendra Chahal.
