IPL Auction 2017: Most expensive players

#1 Ben Stokes – Rising Pune Supergiants - 14.5 crore (Base price – 2 crore)

All eyes will be on Ben Stokes at the IPL 2017

It was a quiet start to the auction but when the IPL auctioneer read out Ben Stokes’ name, there was an instant reaction in the room as everyone sat up and got ready to fight for the English star.

Akash Ambani cut an interesting figure, like a kid queuing up for ice cream 5 minutes before the store opens as he raised his team paddle before the bids were open. The bid shot up to 4, 5, 7, 9 crores before it settled down.

It appeared to be a fight between Mumbai and RCB before both teams pulled out. Sunrisers appeared to have got their man at 13.5 crore but the Rising Pune Supergiants snuck in, right at the end, and splashed 14.5 crores on the man.

Ben Stokes became the most expensive foreigner in IPL history.

2017 IPL’s biggest draw will play under MS Dhoni. Oops, Steven Smith.