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The return of CSK and RR
This was one of the most expected aspects of the 2018 IPL auction. Two former champions returned to the IPL fraternity after each serving two-year suspensions. The franchises were desperate to restore their pride by starting off the season with a bang.
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The Chennai Super Kings entered the auctions with a purse amount of Rs.47 crore, having retained MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja. The 2008 Champion Rajasthan Royals, meanwhile, had Rs.67.5 crores left in their purse after retaining only Steven Smith.
They wasted no time during the auctions to form a strong squad. With much left in their purse, the Royals went on to bid for almost every player. They bought the English all-rounder Ben Stokes for Rs.12.5 crores, once again making him the costliest player in the auctions.
They also bought the Indian pacer Jaydev Unadkat for Rs.11.5 crores, making him the costliest Indian buy of this season.
The Chennai Super Kings played a waiting game for most parts of the auction. But they finished with a bang just like their skipper does very often, with some impressive signings that included Lungisani Ngidi, Mitchell Santner and Murali Vijay.
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