The most expensive buys of 2019 IPL auction
What's the story
The Indian Premier league (IPL) auction for the 12th edition is being held in Jaipur.
Several players started a bidding war as teams went the distance to acquire them.
West Indian players raked in the most moolah.
Last season's costliest Indian, Jaydev Unadkat, is the joint-most expensive buy this time around, along with Varun Chakaravarthy.
Here's the list of most expensive players till now.
Varun
Varun Chakaravarthy joint-highest buy of IPL 2018
Varun Chakaravarthy will add dynamism with his mystery spin and the youngster's heroics in TNPL hasn't gone unnoticed.
It was expected that teams could go big on the player during the auction.
Kings XI Punjab purchased the spinner for Rs. 8.40 crore after a war with KKR.
He turned out to be the sensational purchase of the auction and is joint-highest buy alongside Unadkat.
Unadkat
Unadkat rings in the cash register once again
Jaydev Unadkat, who was bought for Rs. 11.5 crore in 2018, was released by Rajasthan Royals after just one season.
What Royals managed to do was get their million dollar man back once again for Rs. 8.4 crore.
Unadkat is seen as a promising bowler and the Royals battled against CSK for him.
The left-arm pacer will hope to better his performance in 2019.
Curran
KXIP spend Rs. 7.20 crore for England youngster Sam Curran
England all-rounder Sam Curran showed us what a talent he is during the Test series against India, earlier this year.
It was expected that Curran would attract interest in the auction.
And KXIP spent a mammoth sum for the youngster.
The 20-year-old is a clever bowler and has the potential to do well in the IPL.
He has played 47 T20s in his career.
Information
DC rope in Colin Ingram for Rs. 6.40 crore
This deal came as quite a surprising one. South Africa batsman Colin Ingram was bought by Delhi Capitals for Rs. 6.40 crore. He had a base price of Rs. 2 crore. He has played 202 T20 matches in his career till now.
Mohit
CSK purchase Mohit Sharma for Rs. 5 crore
Mohit Sharma was released by Kings XI Punjab after a dismal 2018 campaign.
The former Chennai Super Kings pacer was a regular feature from 2013 to 2017 and is now set to play under his favorite skipper MS Dhoni.
One would hope the association clicks for both the player as well as CSK.
CSK wanted a pace bowler and now they have got one.
Brathwaite
KKR win Carlos Brathwaite bidding war at Rs. 5 crore
Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders entered into a bidding war for West Indies all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite.
Finally, KKR had the last laugh.
The former Delhi and Hyderabad player adds steel with his bowling and explosive hits with the bat.
He would be available for the entire season and that may have prompted KKR to acquire him.
Hetmyer
RCB acquire Shimron Hetmyer for Rs. 4.2 crore
West Indies batsman Shimron Hetmyer has been acquired by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for Rs. 4.2 crore.
The West Indian youngster was expected to garner a lot of attention and start a bidding war.
His big-hitting skills would definitely benefit RCB.
Hetmyer will add solidity to the RCB middle order that already bear the likes of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers.
Data
Other costly purchases in the IPL Auction
Other costly purchases in the IPL auction were: Nicholas Pooran (KXIP): Rs. 4.20 crore, Mohammed Shami (KXIP): Rs. 4.8 crore, Shivam Dube (RCB): Rs. 5 crore and Axar Patel (DC): Rs. 5 crore.