IPL 2017: 5 Most Expensive Players In Mumbai Indians’ History

Feb 13, 2017 at 9:44 AM

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IPL 2017: 5 Most Expensive Players In Mumbai Indians’ History

Mumbai Indians have proved they love to invest in future rather than just buying names who are one shot wonders. The buying history of the franchise owned by Indiawin Sports Pvt. Ltd led by Nita Ambani can be split into two parts -2008 and 2011. It was at these two auctions where they bought extraordinary players at extravagant prices.

MI are also pretty well known for scouting promising young talents and grooming them for the rigors of international cricket. Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah being the prime examples in the recent seasons. Their forward-looking approach has helped them evolve into a formidable side having won the title twice in 2013 and 2015.

As the bidding process is set to take place in a matter of a few days, Mumbai Indians will be browsing through most of the players available in the pool. While they’ll be busy sorting suitable prospects who might end up being rich, Sportzwiki tries to list out five of the most expensive buys Mumbai Indians have made in their history.

Rohit Sharma – 13 Crores

Rohit Sharma is the most expensive buy in the history of Mumbai Indians, when the franchise bought him for a staggering sum of 2 million USD or 13 Crores INR. It was a double delight moment for Rohit as he was back to his home side Mumbai after being the part of Deccan Chargers for the initial three seasons.

Mumbai Indians had great plans for the then 23-year-old batsman who was already the ‘next big thing’ if Indian cricket. Rohit Sharma went to become the skipper in 2013 and won the maiden title for his franchise the same season.

A season later, he again led his team to IPL victory in 2015. So far, he has amassed 2704 in nine seasons including 1 century and 29 fifties.

Sanath Jayasuriya – 6.5 Crores

Sri Lanka batting great Sanath Jayasuriya was one of the most exciting players in the auction pool of the inaugural season. The ‘Matara Mauler’, arguably the best hitter of the ball – known for his antic of gaining the maximum from the opening overs a match – would have been a dream player for any team playing in any condition.

Eventually, after some intense bidding battles, the benefit of having a batsman of his stature went to Mumbai Indians. He was snapped for 6.5 crores and eventually became MI’s most expensive buy that season. Later on, he had a successful season which saw many explosive knocks coming off his blade including a 48-ball 114 runs knock against Chennai Super Kings.

Zaheer Khan – 6 Crores

Zaheer Khan was bought for 6 crores by Mumbai Indians in the 2011 bidding round. He was in outstanding form that year. Coming in fresh from leading India to an ICC Cricket World Cup win by ending up as the highest wicket-taker of the tournament, the left-arm fast bowler snapped 14 wickets in 15 matches with the best bowling figures of 3/32. That particular season might have been under par but overall he has been a highly effective bowler, who led the bowling attack of the franchise with a lot of success. His IPL career, wholly, has been very successful. In 89 matches, he has 92 wickets.

Harbhajan Singh – 5.5 Crores

Harbhajan Singh can perhaps pride himself in calling a staunch loyalist. He falls into a small and exclusive category of players who have been associated with a single franchise ever since the start of the lucrative league. Harbhajan was country’s top spinner when he made it to the auction list of the 2008 IPL auction. Being in such a favorable position, obviously, has some great perks – one of them being the most attractive talents in the list. Many IPL teams looked keen in getting his services but it was MI who eventually ended up winning him for a princely sum of 5.5 crores. He was the second highest buy made by the franchise that season.

Kieron Pollard – 4.8 Crores

Mumbai Indians weren’t in the thought of acquiring any players in the 2010 auction. They hardly bid for anybody till the time the West Indies star Kieron Pollard’s name was announced by the auctioneer standing on the stage. MI perhaps could not resist in getting the explosive all-rounder in their ranks and made sure they outbid everyone in the room. They eventually did but at a huge sum of 4.8 crores. The decision has been quite beneficial as the utility of this player has been huge. He was the star performer for them in his debut season as he played many useful cameos and took 15 wickets in 14 games.

Pollard played key roles in his side’s 2013 and 2015 IPL wins as well, scoring over 400 runs in those respective seasons.

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