5 costliest Australian players in the IPL

#3 Shane Warne- $1.8 million

Shane Warne (3rd from right)

The former Australian great will forever be known as one of the most innovative captains in the history of the IPL and Shane Warne’s role in masterminding Rajasthan Royals’ young turks to victory in 2008 made him an icon for the franchise. Hence, when the 2011 IPL auction came along, the leg-spin legend was promptly retained by the Rajasthan Royals for a salary of $1.8 million.

Although age was quickly catching up to him, his inputs as a captain and his obvious skills as a bowler were still held in high esteem by the team management. What is interesting to note is that Warne had been picked up by the Royals for $450,000 in 2008 and in 3 years' time, his value had risen fourfold.

He is back this year at the Rajasthan Royals as a mentor and the team would expect him to weave his magic again as they find their bearings after a two-year suspension.