Some of the most high-priced players in the IPL 2023 have historically been bought at mini-auctions. In 2021 Chris Morris became the most pricey player when Rajasthan Royals bought him for INR 16.25 crore.
The 2023 auction is also not a mega auction. Let's take a look at six names that could be among the most expensive buys in Kochi on December 23rd.
Sam Curran - Rs 18.50 crore - Sold by Punjab Kings
Don't be surprised if Curran breaks the all-time record for most expensive purchase at an IPL auction. Why? Because he is an investment that will provide you with a solid dividend yield over several years. Curran has proven he can impress with both ball and bat, and at the highest level. He was Player of the Tournament and Player of the Match in the final and led England to triumph in the T20 World Cup recently in Australia.
Ben Stokes - Rs 16.25 crore - Sold by Chennai Super Kings
He is a proven captain, match winning all-rounder, a mentor and a supreme fielder, this is all of his calling cards. And many of the team want him on their line-ups. Long before he put his name on the auction list, there were rumors around the IPL circuit that Lucknow Super Giants would do anything to buy him. At the recent T20 World Cup, Stokes played a key role in the final against Pakistan, where he went unbeaten and hit his first T20I in half a century.
Nicholas Pooran - Rs 16 crore - Sold by Delhi Capitals
At the Mega Auction 2022, the Sunriser, Super Kings and Knight Riders overcame fierce competition to raise Pooran for INR 10.75 crore. Pooran scored 306 runs including two fifties at an average of 38.25 and a good passing rate of 144.33 that season. While he may have been surprised by Sunriser's move to release it, he'd be sure to get another decent offer given its power-hitting ability on display at the recent Abu Dhabi T10. Pooran is one of the most feared power hitters with his ability to dominate all types of bowling.
Harry Brook - Rs 13.25 crore - Sold by Sunrisers Hyderabad
If Stokes says he can see some Virat Kohli in Harry Brook, there must be something special going on with the 23-year-old batsman. And the special might be the sheer power of him striking. In his first international tour overseas, the seven-matchT20I series in Pakistan in August, Brook was more than a rising talent, he won the Player-of-the-Series award after making 238 runs with a batting frequency of 163.01.
Mayank Agarwal - Rs 8.25 crore - Sold by Sunrisers Hyderabad
Agarwal has the third best batting rate by a starting batter in the IPL. He scored 144.50 in 31 matches and scored 1026 runs at 34.20 with a century. Agarwal may have lost the captaincy in the process, but this week he spoke of returning to his old routines to revive his batting.
Cameron Green - Rs 17.5 crore - Sold by Mumbai Indians
Australia have found a way to add Cameron Green to their T20 World Cup squad after Josh Inglis injured his hand playing golf. But Green had made a compelling case after his trip to India just before this World Cup. Green opened up batting in all three T20Is and hit 118 runs with two fifties at a 214.54 strike rate. IPL franchises immediately took notice, especially those looking for batsmen who can move up and down the order, and would be happy to bid for the all-around bowling pace.
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