IPL: 4 most expensive cricketers who proved their worth to their teams

Modified Apr 01, 2019 17:48 IST

KL Rahul has been a worthy investment for KXIP

If the IPL is the most celebrated cricket league across the globe, then its auction part is no less greater. If any great cricket aficionado wants to write a book over IPL, the IPL auction will have a separate chapter for itself.

Over the years, many franchises have invested huge amounts of money in specific players hoping that they could make their sides even stronger. Out of the many players, franchises have lavished money on, some proved their owner's decision right but some have failed.

Let us have a look at four players who justified their franchise's heavy investment and proved their worth.

#4 KL Rahul

The Kings XI Punjab bought the explosive Karnataka batsman in the Vivo IPL 2018 auction at a huge price of 11 Cr INR. He was the most expensive buy for KXIP in that particular season and they had high expectations from him.

On his own part, KL Rahul did not fail to impress his owners and announced his arrival in KXIP's team by scoring the fastest 50 in the history of the IPL.

He scored 659 runs for the Punjab side in 14 matches, which included six 50+ scores and hence proved his worth to his side.

#3 Ravindra Jadeja

After IPL 2011, when the Kochi Tuskars Kerala team was dissolved, its players were sent on to the auction field for the next IPL. During the IPL 2012 auction, the Chennai Super Kings made a surprising move and bought the most expensive cricketer of that season in the form of Ravindra Jadeja at a cost of 9.72 Cr. INR.

After that, the fortunes of the club changed dramatically. CSK nurtured and groomed Jadeja and now use him as their prime allrounder and spinner.

Moreover by doing so well for CSK, Jadeja soon found his place back into the Indian team and his consistent performance sealed his spot there also.

#2 Gautam Gambhir

All of what Kolkata Knight Riders is, where it stands, and all it has achieved, one player can take most of the credit fo it; Gautam Gambhir.

In the IPL 2011 auction, the Kolkata Knight Riders bought Gambhir at a handsome price of 11.04 Cr. INR, making him the most expensive player in that season. Soon after the auction, KKR immediately appointed Gambhir as the captain of their side.

Since then KKR never looked back. With two IPL wins and five appearances in the playoffs, Gambhir has proven his mettle. Many times, he led the team from the front and won matches single handedly. He scored runs at such a rate, even racking up to 500 runs in a single tournament.

He always delivered 100% for KKR and hence did a lot more than what the franchise expected from him.

#1 MS Dhoni

The Chennai Super Kings team and its fans has always a special roar for their beloved 'Thala'. The bond between MS Dhoni and CSK seems to be emotional one, with the fans always wanting their champion player to roar loud in the yellow uniform.

Back in 2008 when IPL was inaugurated, CSK picked MS Dhoni at a price of 6 Cr. INR, which was the most expensive pick in that season. Since then Dhoni is proving his worth each and every season, so much that it almost seems that CSK would not have a place in the IPL without their MS Dhoni.

Winning three titles, getting into seven finals, and making it each and every time into the playoffs is simply no joke.

The CSK roster has changed a lot over the years, but one thing that has remained constant is the good results. Simply because they have a capable leader in Dhone who has always led the team from the front and delivered when it is needed.

Without any iota of doubt, MS Dhoni has proven his worth for the lions all through these years.

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