The IPL auction of 2014 has been a star studded affair with franchises opting for form over reputation and availability over record as they pursued the signatures of some of the finest players in the world in what has become the biggest domestic cricket tournament around the globe.
Let’s have a look at the Top 10 MOST EXPENSIVE signings of the auction this year :
10. Amit Mishra
The talented leg-spinner from Delhi was bought back by the Sunrisers Hyderabad using their right-to-match card for a whopping amount of Rs 4.75 crores. But there is one thing Mishra guarantees – WICKETS!
9. Murali Vijay
The former Chennai Super Kings opener would be representing the Delhi Daredevils this season after the franchise shelled out Rs 5 crores for his signature. With Kevin Petersen and Ross Taylor also in the side, this is one batting combination that is sure to wreck havoc.
Robin Uthappa has played for a number of franchises in his IPL career – Mumbai, RCB and more recently Pune, but the Bangalore boy will turn out in the purple and gold of KKR this season. Uthappa’s base price rose from Rs 2 crores to Rs 5 crores in wednesday’s auction.
The Aussie bowler was the first bowler to be sold off in wednesday’s auction to RCB for Rs 5 Crores. Vijay Mallya’s biggest catch in the bowling department would be a player to watch out for this season.
Retired, but not finished! Far from it, infact. Going one step ahead of Starc is Jacques Kallis who has been signed by KKR for a handsome amount of Rs 5.5 crores. He’ll once again be a key component in the KKR setup.
5. David Warner
David Warner promises destruction, pure and simple. Starting at a bid of Rs 1.5 crores, David Warner finally landed up with Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 5.5 crores. We can’t wait to watch the opening combination of Shikhar Dhawan and Warner!
Mitchell Johnson was SPORTZWIKI’s pick for the BEST BUY of the IPL 2014 auction, and there is little doubt that Johnson has the quality and the form to succeed in KIngs XI colours. KXIP bagged Johnson for 6.5 crores just in time in the auction.
Kevin Petersen guarantees consistency, and proven match-winning ability, and with the former England star expected to be available for the entire season of the IPL, a leadership role may also be on the cards for KP.
Whether Dinesh Karthik is worthy of the Rs 12.5 crore salary is up for debate, but Delhi got their man eventually after a fierce bidding war for the much-improved keeper-batsman. Let’s hope he can live up to the huge price tag.
1. Yuvraj Singh
Virat Kohli was keen on having Yuvraj in his team, and a much generous Vijay Mallya was only too keen to oblige as he splashed Rs 14 crore on the southpaw, seeing off the interest of Kolkata Knight Riders who were prepared to go upto Rs 13 crore for the Punjab batsman.
