The biggest cricketing bonanza of the year – IPL Auction 2018 – is underway with some big revelations coming our way early on.
Ben Stokes happens to be the most expensive player so far in the auction.
Ben Stokes: Rs 12.5 Crore
He was picked by Rajasthan Royals at a whopping price of Rs 12.5 crore. Coincidentally, Ben Stokes was snapped up for a record price of Rs 14.5 crore in the last season of the IPL as well.
KL Rahul: Rs 11 Crore
KL Rahul became the first Indian to touch the double figure on Day 1 of IPL Auction 2018. He was bought by Kings XI Punjab for Rs 11 crore.
Manish Pandey: 11 Crore
Manish Pandey joins the league of most expensive players in IPL 2018. He was picked by Sunrisers Hyderabad for a sum of 11 crore on Day 1 of the auction. He has represented Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders in the previous seasons of the IPL.
Chris Lynn: 9.6 Crore
Australian batsman Chris Lynn was bagged by Kolkata Knight Riders for a huge sum of 9.6 crore. He played for KKR in the last edition of IPL as well.
Mitchell Starc: Rs 9.4 Crore
Australian cricketer Mitchell Starc also had a lucky day the auction. He went for Rs 9.4 crore to Kolkata Knight Riders.
Krunal Pandya: 8.8 Crore
Mumbai Indians parted with 8.8 crore to have Krunal Pandya in the side. With this, both Krunal and Hardik Pandya will play for Mumbai Indians in this edition of IPL.
Amidst much speculation, Ravichandran Ashwin was sold to Kings XI Punjab for a sum of Rs 7.6 crore. Yes, you’ll be seeing Ashwin sans the yellow jersey this IPL season. There was lot of conjecture on Ashwin with experts and cricket fans expecting CSK to have him back. But it is Punjab who will reap the benefits through their ace spinner in IPL 2018.