IPL's biggest signings in the last 10 seasons
What's the story
The Indian Premier League is the most watched cricket league in the world. The superstars of cricket love to compete at this glamour friendly event.
The big bucks in the league also attract the best players across the globe.
With the IPL auctions now just days away, we take a look at the top buys in the IPL in the last 10 seasons.
$1.5 million
CSK breaks the bank for Dhoni in 2008
Chennai Super Kings forked out $1.5 million to sign the then Indian captain in the inaugural edition of the Indian Premier League in 2008.
MS Dhoni was the hottest property in T20 cricket after leading India to the World T20 title in South Africa the previous year.
Dhoni, since then, won the Super Kings 2 IPL titles and a Champions League trophy.
$1.55 million
CSK spend big on all-rounder Andrew Flintoff in 2009
Former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff was the biggest buy of the 2009 IPL season.
Chennai Super Kings yet again broke the bank to land the all-rounder. They paid $1.55 million to acquire the services of Flintoff.
However, the Englishman's career never kicked off, as he struggled with injuries and managed to play just 3 games for CSK in 2009.
$750,000
Mumbai's steal deal for Kieron Pollard in 2010
West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard's big hitting antics had earned him a $750,000 move to Mumbai Indians in 2010.
Pollard and New Zealand's Shane Bond became the biggest signings of the year.
The all-rounder went on to become a huge success for Mumbai and is still a key member of the Mumbai Indians franchise.
$2.4 million
KKR fork out the money for Gautam Gambhir in 2011
Kolkata Knight Riders surprised everyone when they forked out $2.4 million out of their war chest for former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir.
The Delhi boy was immediately appointed captain and has since been one of the most successful captains in the league.
Gambhir has led them to two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014.
$2 million
Chennai spend big bucks for Ravindra Jadeja in 2012
In 2012, Chennai Super Kings landed Ravindra Jadeja in the most expensive deal of 2012. They once again proved that irrespective of the price, they will get what they want.
The all-rounder joined the South Indian outfit for a massive $2 million.
The all-rounder quickly became a central figure in the franchise's immense success.
$1 million
Mumbai go big to get Glenn Maxwell in 2013
Hard hitting Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell was the biggest buy of the 2013 IPL season when he was bought by Mumbai Indians for a whopping $1 million.
Maxwell was not really a success story at the Mumbai franchise and only when he moved to Kings XI Punjab, the right-handed batsman set the IPL alight with his flamboyant batting.
$2.67 million
IPL's all time biggie Yuvraj Singh in 2014 & 2015
Yuvraj Singh is the most expensive batsman in IPL history after fetching a massive $2.67 million at the 2015 IPL auctions.
The Delhi Daredevils spent bit to land the stylish left-handed batsman.
Prior to that, Yuvraj was the most expensive player when RCB used $2.33 million for him.
Not surprising, considering he holds the record for fastest fifty in a T20I match.
$1.98 million
RCB spend close to $2mn for all-rounder Shane Watson
Australia's big hitting all-rounder Shane Watson became the biggest signing of 2016 when Royal Challengers Bangalore forked out a whopping $1.98 million for his services.
Watson, who played for the Rajasthan Royals earlier, switched to down south after his earlier franchise was banned for match fixing for a period of two years.
$2.16 million
Rising Pune Supergiant's big pitch for Ben Stokes in 2017
Currently, the best all-rounder in the world, Ben Stokes was the biggest signing of 2017 when Rising Pune Supergiant spent a mammoth $2.16 million to land the English international.
Despite his prowess, the all-rounder did not actually live up to his massive potential in the last edition.
Let us see which team signs Ben Stokes for IPL 11.