From MS Dhoni In 2008 To Sam Curran In 2023: Most Expensive Cricketer Bought In Every IPL Auction - In Pics

In the inaugural IPL auction, the charismatic former Indian captain MS Dhoni became the trailblazer, earning a hefty ₹9.5 crore contract with the Chennai Super Kings. Little did anyone know that this monumental deal would set the tone for Dhoni's iconic association with CSK.

The second edition of the IPL saw the English duo of Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen sharing the spotlight as the joint-most expensive players. Flintoff joined CSK, while Pietersen donned the colors of Royal Challengers Bangalore, both shouldering high expectations that season.

The 2010 auction witnessed two players, Shane Bond and Kieron Pollard, claiming the title of the most expensive buys. Bond joined the Kolkata Knight Riders, while Pollard's journey with the Mumbai Indians began, marking the start of a fruitful association.

In 2011, Gautam Gambhir emerged as the most expensive player, securing a monumental ₹14.9 crore deal with the Kolkata Knight Riders. This proved to be a masterstroke for KKR, as Gambhir's leadership played a pivotal role in the franchise's subsequent triumphs.

The flamboyant all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja made headlines in 2012 when the Chennai Super Kings acquired his services for a substantial ₹12.8 crore. This investment has since proven to be immensely rewarding for CSK, with Jadeja becoming a linchpin in their squad.

The Australian batting all-rounder Glenn Maxwell entered the IPL limelight in 2013, securing a ₹6.3 crore deal with the Mumbai Indians. While his performance that season may not have lived up to the price tag, Maxwell's subsequent successes in the league have solidified his reputation.

Yuvraj Singh, one of India's white-ball legends, commanded a staggering ₹14 crore deal with the Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2014. Yuvraj's dynamic performances that season showcased his value as a marquee player.

For the second consecutive year, Yuvraj Singh emerged as the most expensive player in the IPL auction, this time fetching a colossal ₹16 crore deal with the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals). Yuvraj continued to be a sought-after asset in the T20 extravaganza.

In 2016, the Australian all-rounder Shane Watson garnered attention with a ₹9.5 crore deal with the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Watson's contributions with both bat and ball endeared him to the RCB faithful.

Ben Stokes became the costliest player in the 2017 auction when Rising Pune Supergiant secured his services for ₹14.5 crore. Stokes lived up to the billing, delivering impactful performances with both bat and ball.

In a remarkable feat, Ben Stokes repeated his status as the most expensive player in consecutive auctions. The Rajasthan Royals acquired his services for ₹12.5 crore in 2018, marking another chapter in Stokes' IPL journey.

The 2019 auction saw the surprising duo of Jaydev Unadkat and Varun Chakravarthy sharing the spotlight as the most expensive players, both securing ₹8.4 crore deals with the Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), respectively.

Australian pacer Pat Cummins set a new benchmark in 2020 by becoming the most expensive player in IPL history at that time. The Kolkata Knight Riders secured his services for a whopping ₹15.5 crore, and Cummins went on to play a crucial role for the team.

Chris Morris stole the spotlight in the 2021 auction as the most expensive player, with the Rajasthan Royals shelling out ₹16.25 crore for the dynamic all-rounder. Morris justified the price tag with impactful performances during the season.

In 2022, the Mumbai Indians made a significant investment in retaining young batting sensation Ishan Kishan, securing him for ₹15.25 crore. Kishan's explosive batting style and potential made him a valuable asset for the defending champions.

The latest addition to the list is Sam Curran, who made history in the 2023 auction by becoming the most expensive player in IPL history. The Punjab Kings secured his services for a staggering ₹18.50 crore, recognizing his stellar performances in the T20 World Cup 2022.