The 6 Most Expensive Uncapped Indian Signings In IPL Auction History – News18

The IPL 2024 Auction will see 10 IPL teams compete in a bidding war to secure some of the biggest names in cricket on December 19. The auction will take place at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai as a total of 70 slots remain with a cap of 30 overseas players. The IPL auction has often resulted in some heated financial battles that have seen players with no international appearances sell for a jaw-dropping fee. While there is nothing wrong with a young cricketer making a career out of IPL, some valuations have been ridiculously high in recent editions. From Avesh Khan to Varun Chakravarthy, today let’s take a look at the most expensive uncapped Indian stars in the auction’s history.

Avesh Khan

Indian pacer Avesh Khan became the most expensive uncapped signing in 2022, after being purchased by Lucknow Super Giants for an astonishing fee of Rs 10 crores. Avesh began his IPL journey in 2017 with RCB before signing for Delhi Capitals where the player spent four seasons. He was recently traded to Rajasthan Royals for his existing fee of 10 crores. Avesh has played a total of 47 IPL games and has 55 scalps to his name.

Krishnappa Gowtham

Signed by Chennai Super Kings for a fee of Rs 9.25 crores in 2021, K Gowtham takes the second spot in this list. Despite a lumpsum payout, the Karnataka-born player failed to impress his skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni that year. He played no games in CSK’s title-winning campaign and was eventually released by the organisation ahead of the 2022 auction. He was then sold to the newly-formed Lucknow Super Giants for a fee of a mere Rs 90 lakhs in the auction.

Shahrukh Khan

Indian all-rounder Shahrukh Khan was signed by Punjab Kings for a mega fee of Rs 9 crores in the 2022 auction. The excessively high fee for the player was the result of a bidding war between teams like KKR, CSK and Punjab Kings. In 2023, Shahrukh played a total of 14 games while scoring 156 runs. He achieved this stat while playing at an average of 22.29 and a strike rate of 165.96.

Rahul Tewatia

Rahul Tewatia joined the list of the most expensive uncapped players in the IPL after being signed for Rs 9 crores in 2022. It was the Gujarat Titans who spilt the cash on the all-rounder based on his impressive season with Rajasthan Royals in 2021. Tewatia broke the internet that year, having produced a memorable knock against Punjab Kings. During that match, he smashed West Indies pacer Sheldon Cottrell for five sixes in an over to seal a victory.

Krunal Pandya

A major attraction in the IPL 2018 auction, Krunal Pandya made headlines after being signed by Mumbai Indians for an astounding fee of Rs 8.80 crores. The player had already shown a bright prospect in 2016, exhibiting his wide range of batting strokes. In 2017, Krunal impressed with both the bat and the ball, taking home the Player of the Match award in the final of the tournament. Krunal has played a total of 113 IPL matches in his career while scoring 1514 runs. He has also scalped a total of 70 wickets in those games.

Varun Chakravarthy

Valuation for an uncapped player reached a ridiculous level after Varun Chakravarthy was signed by Punjab Kings in 2019. The Tamil Nadu mystery spinner was bought for 8.40 crores which was a 42-time increase over his base price set at 20 lakhs. Varun has played a total of 56 IPL matches across five seasons. He has accumulated 62 wickets in those games at an economy of 7.45.