IPL history: 11 most expensive players of 11 auctions and how they fared

#2 IPL 2009 - Andrew Flintoff (Chennai Super Kings) and Kevin Pietersen (Royal Challengers Bangalore) - ₹9.8 crores (approx) each

Andrew Flintoff

All-rounder Andrew Flintoff was touted to be one of the favourite picks during the 2nd edition of IPL. CSK picked up the Lancashire-born player for a hefty amount of ₹9.8 crores. However, as luck would have it, Flintoff suffered a knee injury and was ruled out of the tournament after playing 3 matches.

The lanky player could only manage to score 62 runs in those 3 games at a strike rate of 116.98. His performance with the ball was also poor as he clinched only 2 wickets in those three matches and had a high economy of 9.54. IPL 2009 was Flintoff's first and last appearance in the T20 extravaganza.

KP was also a flop show in IPL 2009

Pietersen also had a torrid season. RCB paid a handsome ₹9.8 crores to procure the right-handed batsman. However, the English player let the team down. He was also made the captain of the RCB side.

To add to RCB's woes, Pietersen could only play 6 matches during the season and had to depart due to international duties. In the end, he only managed to score 93 runs with the bat at a dismal average of 15.50. KP's performance with the ball was still decent as he managed to clinch a total of 4 wickets and had an economy rate of 6.53.

Pietersen's performances were far more superior in the 2010 and 2012 IPL editions.

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#3 IPL 2010 - Shane Bond (Kolkata Knight Riders) and Kieron Pollard (Mumbai Indians) - ₹4.8 crores (approx) each

Shane Bond

KKR roped in Shane Bond for a hefty amount of ₹4.8 crores. Touted as one of New Zealand's best fast bowlers of all time, Bond made 9 scalps in the 8 matches he played for the Shahrukh Khan-owned franchise during the 2010 season.

The Kiwi speedster's career was always marred by injuries. Even though Bond made a good impact in the 8 matches he played and had a decent economy of 7.22, KKR would have expected much more from him. The 2010 edition was Bond's solitary appearance in the IPL as he announced retirement from all forms of the game on 13 May 2010.

Pollard paid much better dividends for the price Mumbai Indians had paid to procure him. The Trinidad and Tobago-born player picked up 15 wickets in the 14 matches he played at an economy of 7.40 and a strike rate of 14.80.

The all-rounder played a few explosive knocks as well. He amassed 273 runs in the 14 matches at a mind-boggling strike rate of 185.71. Pollard has been a vital cog of the Mumbai-based franchise since 2010.

The 31-year-old had a big role in helping MI to the final in the 2010 IPL.