IPL history: 12 most expensive players of last 12 IPL auctions and how they performed

#11 IPL 2018 - Ben Stokes (Rajasthan Royals) - ₹12.5 crores

Ben Stokes

Stokes' phenomenal run in IPL 2017 got him a handsome paycheque in IPL 2018 as well. Rajasthan Royals paid ₹12.5 crores to procure the services of the all-rounder.

However, the all-rounder was not as lethal as he was the previous edition with RPS.

Stokes scored only 196 runs in 13 matches at an economy rate of 121.73 and a dismal average of 16.33. The English player could only manage to pick up 8 wickets and had an economy rate of 8.18 in IPL 2018. Regardless, Rajasthan Royals managed to reach the playoffs in 2018.

28-year-old Ben Stokes has been retained by Rajasthan Royals for ₹12.5 crores ahead of IPL 2020. After failing to make much of an impact in the previous two editions, the World Cup-winner will look to come out all guns blazing in the upcoming edition.

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#12 IPL 2019 - Jaydev Unadkat (Rajasthan Royals) and Varun Chakravarthy (Kings XI Punjab) - ₹8.4 crores each

V arun Chakravarthy

Rajasthan Royals released Jaydev Unadkat ahead of IPL 2019 but bought him back during the auctions. The Gujarat-born pacer let down the Royals yet again. He could not justify his high price tag as he claimed just 10 wickets in 11 matches at a poor economy rate of 10.66.

Surprisingly, the Royals released Unadkat ahead of IPL 2020 but bought him back -- this time for ₹3 crores. It will be interesting to see if the 28-year old bowler can prove his mettle this time around. His performances in the Ranji Trophy for Saurashtra have been exceptional and he has made 58 scalps (and counting) in 9 matches.

Varun Chakravarthy, who not well-known earlier, got a surprise bid of ₹8.4 from the Kings XI Punjab. The Karnataka-born all-rounder failed to make an impact and played just 1 match for the Punjab-based franchise in which he clinched 1 wicket at an economy rate of 11.66.

Kolkata Knight Riders have invested their faith in Varun and paid a hefty sum of ₹4 crores to procure his services ahead of IPL 2020.

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Pat Cummins became the most expensive foreign player in IPL history as KKR roped him in for ₹15.5 crores. How do you think the Aussie speedster will perform in IPL 2020? Do let us know in the comments section below!