IPL 2021 Auction: 5 Most Expensive Overseas Buys

The IPL 2021 auction that transpired in Chennai on Thursday (February 18th) was an enthralling event that witnessed franchises going gaga over certain players, shelling out hefty amounts. With the 13th edition of the extravaganza coming out as nothing less than successful against all odds, one would have to imagine how exciting the 14th would be, considering it’s likely to occur in India. The IPL 2021 auction was merely a trailer of what is to come.

While the Indian players are always the ones to watch out for in every auction, the foreign players do not stay behind. The IPL 2021 auction might be an exception where overseas cricketers ruled the roost, fetching jaw-dropping prices. With franchise cricket running worldwide the entire year, players get ample opportunities to showcase their potential to be picked by the franchises. Thus, the bidding function was indeed a record-breaking event.

IPL 2021 Auction: 5 Most Expensive Overseas Buys

Riley Meredith – INR 8 crores to Punjab Kings:

Australia’s Riley Meredith has been rapidly knocking on the national selectors’ doors for quite some time. Riley Meredith can crank it up consistently while also proving as a threatening bowler in terms of taking wickets. In all T20s, the right-arm speedster has 43 scalps at 23.62 while maintaining an economy rate of 8.06.

The 24-year old was part of Hobart Hurricanes in the 2020-21 edition of Big Bash and performed decently. He snared 16 wickets in 13 matches at 24.62 while keeping an economy rate of 7.82. Meredith adds venom to the pace-bowling unit that has the likes of Mohammed Shami, Chris Jordan, Ishan Porel, Arshdeep Singh.

Jhye Richardson – INR 14.00 crores to Punjab Kings:

Western Australian paceman Jhye Richardson has represented the national team in all three formats, delivering some very impactful performances. Jhye Richardson was part of Australia’s limited-overs tour in India in early 2019 and played a crucial role in the visitors’ remarkable victory. Nevertheless, injuries have derailed his career regularly thus far.

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But that did not stop Jhye Richardson, who was part of Perth Scorchers, from ending the 2020-21 season of Big Bash League as the highest wicket-taker. The 24-year old took 29 wickets in 17 matches at 16.31 with an economy rate of 7.69. Punjab Kings, who has invested heavily in the promising young quick bowler, would hope that he justifies the price tag of 14 crores and plays a crucial role in the quest for their maiden title.

Glenn Maxwell – INR 14.25 crores to Royal Challengers Bangalore:

It seems like Glenn Maxwell’s IPL price works inversely with the returns yielded. Despite enduring a forgettable season in 2020, Glenn Maxwell fetched a mammoth sum and was in the scheme of things of various franchises. The 32-year old managed only 108 runs for Kings XI Punjab last year at a strike rate of 101, hitting no sixes and no half-century.

But he performed incredibly well in the limited-overs matches against India after that and had a productive edition with the Melbourne Stars. Maxwell, whose wish was to join forces with his idol AB de Villiers, will do so by forming a star-studded line-up that also has Virat Kohli. The Royal Challengers will keep their fingers crossed for the Victorian to blow away the oppositions with his all-round skills.

Kyle Jamieson – INR 15 crores to Royal Challengers Bangalore:

Royal Challengers Bangalore shelled out a more hefty amount on New Zealand’s latest sensation Kyle Jamieson. Kyle Jamieson, who debuted in 2020, has been wreaking havoc on oppositions not only with his bowling but also batting. Standing at six feet and six inches, the 26-year old generates awkward bounce and is a powerful striker of the ball. His T20 batting strike rate reads as 138.68 in 38 matches alongside 54 wickets.

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For all that Jamieson has accomplished so far in his short international career, there is growing scepticism on his effectiveness in the sub-continent. Thus, dishing out INR 15 crores on the Kiwi paceman raised plenty of eyebrows on the expert. The Royal Challengers, which has a reputation for shelling out big bucks without getting adequate returns, would hope for Jamieson to live up to the hype.

Chris Morris – INR 16.25 crores to Rajasthan Royals:

South African all-rounder Chris Morris smashed the record for the costliest player in an auction by fetching a record sum of INR 16.25 crores in the IPL 2021 Auction. Chris Morris surpassed former Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, who earned 16 crores ahead of IPL 2015 from the Delhi Daredevils. Morris, who entered the auction with the modest price of INR 75 lakhs, had bids from Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Rajasthan Royals.

But the Rajasthan Royals eventually won the 33-year old’s services. The Pretoria-born all-rounder was part of the Royal Challengers in IPL 2020 and had a productive season with the ball, taking 11 wickets in nine matches at 19.09 while his economy rate was 6.63. The Royals, who needed support for Jofra Archer, would be thrilled to have Morris in their arsenal. His batting exploits also make him a valid back-up option for ace all-rounder Ben Stokes.

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