IPL Auction 2022: 5 Highest Bids By Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) In IPL Auction History

Kolkata Knight Riders have made some interesting bids in the IPL 2022 mega auction. They went big behind Shreyas Iyer and Pat Cummins and acquired them for 12.25 crores and 7.25 crores respectively. KKR CSO Venky Mysore said that he was very happy with both the acquisitions which now games them good options for captaincy.

KKR over the years have invested big on a few players who have repaid them with performances as well. They bought the likes of Gautam Gambhir, Yusuf Pathan and Jacques Kallis in the 2011 auction with hefty prices. The trio then kept the faith and was a part of two titles with KKR. Iyer now seems to be the potential choice as captain for the franchise and will work alongside Brendon McCullum. Meanwhile, in this article, we take a look at the five most expensive buys of KKR in IPL history.

IPL Auction 2022: 5 Highest Bids By Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) In IPL Auction History

Mitchell Starc (9.4 Cr)

Mitchell Starc was all set for a comeback in 2018 after Kolkata Knight Riders invested 9.4 crores for the Australian pacer. However, as it turned out, he pulled out of the season due to an injury in his right leg. Starc got injured before the IPL and he didn’t participate in the whole season. Starc has not played in the IPL since the 2015 season. In 27 IPL matches, Mitchell Starc has 34 wickets at an economy rate of 7.17.

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Chris Lynn (9.6 Cr)

The Australian cricketer was one of the most expensive buys for Kolkata Knight Riders. Though Lynn was bought at a much lower price in IPL 2014, the franchise shelled out 9.6 Cr in the 2018 auctions to sign the opener. He scored 400-plus runs in the next two seasons for the franchise but then was released by the franchise ahead of the IPL 2020 auction. Lynn then joined Mumbai Indians but just got one game in two seasons. He has been released to the auctions before IPL 2022.

Gautam Gambhir (11.04 Cr)

IN IPL 2011, Gautam Gambhir was the most expensive player at 11.04 crores. It brought about a wholesome change in the fortunes of the franchise. Gambhir led KKR to two titles in the inside four years since joining the side in 2011. He also took KKR to the final four every season between 201-2017. The southpaw then went back to Delhi Capitals in IPL 2018 before retiring from the IPL after the end of the season.

Pat Cummins (15.50 Cr)

The franchise managed to acquire Australian Test skipper Pat Cummins at a whopping price of 15.50 crores in the IPL 2020 auction. Cummins was the costliest overseas player in the auction. However, the next two seasons were not fruitful enough for Cummins who picked up just 29 wickets across the two seasons for the franchise. KKR bought back Cummins for 7.25 crores in the IPL 2022 mega auction.

Shreyas Iyer (12.25 Cr)

There were reports that Kolkata Knight Riders might go hard behind Shreyas Iyer and it turned out to the exactly the same way. In a bidding war with RCB and a few other franchises, KKR won him at a hefty amount of 12.25 crores. They made the final of IPL 2021 who was ignored by the franchise when his turn came up. It is a good investment given the future of the franchise in mind.

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