The IPL 2023 Players’ Auction, held in Kochi, was a highly anticipated event and did not disappoint. Sam Curran, who was a part of the Punjab Kings (PBKS) squad in IPL 2019, became the most expensive player in IPL history after the Mohali-based franchise resigned him for ₹18.50 crores.
Ben Stokes, Curran’s England teammate, also generated buzz when the four-time IPL champion, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), acquired his services after a winning bid of ₹16.25 crores. Both Englishmen were among the top three most expensive purchases at the auction. The Mumbai Indians (MI) spent ₹17.50 crores on Cameron Green, while India’s star opening batsman and former PBKS captain, Mayank Agarwal, was signed by the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for ₹8.25 crores.
The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) raised eyebrows by purchasing former West Indies captain Nicholas Pooran for ₹16 crores, despite his underwhelming performance in this year’s IPL and at the 2022 T20 World Cup.
Harry Brook, another England player, was roped in by SRH for ₹13.25 crores, and Ireland pacer Joshua Little became the first player from his nation to be picked during the IPL auction. The Gujarat Titans (GT) signed him for ₹4.4 crores.
PBKS also made one of the cheapest buys at the mini-auction as they included Sikandar Raza in their outfit for just ₹50 lakhs.
Here is the total amount of money spent on players from each country:
- England – ₹56.4 Crores
- India – ₹41.45 Crores
- West Indies – ₹23.75 Crores
- Australia – ₹21.25 Crores
- South Africa – ₹10.55 Crores
- Ireland – ₹4.4 Crores
- New Zealand – ₹3 Crores
- Bangladesh – ₹2 Crores
- Namibia – ₹1 Crore
- Zimbabwe – ₹50 Lakhs
