Overview:
Since its inception in 2008, the IPL has long served as a platform that has provided a level playing field for both- domestic and international youngsters to showcase their talent. While many of them have frittered away an opportunity of a lifetime, there are a handful of players who have taken the league quite seriously and have utilized it as an opportunity to hone their skills and in turn, become better cricketers.
While going through the squads of all the IPL teams for 2024, I realized that many big players on those lists were initially bought by their teams at very low prices since they were youngsters at that time, but now they have become some of the most popular and highest-paid players in the world of T20 cricket.
5 famous IPL players who were bought at less than ₹1 Cr.
I have listed out five big names of IPL 2024, who were initially roped in by their respective teams at very nominal prices.
1. Andre Russell:
The Jamaican power-hitter was an amateur when he first came into the league back in 2012 playing for the Delhi Daredevils however, he could not find success until he went to represent the Kolkata Knight Riders in 2014, the year that KKR clinched their second title. Since then there has been no turning back for the big man who has come to the rescue of King Khan’s franchise on multiple occasions- chasing down those mammoth totals in the death overs when the team needed him the most.
However, you will surprised to know that ‘Dre Russ’ (Russell’s nickname) was picked up by KKR in 2014 at a measly ₹60 Lakhs.
2. Hardik Pandya:
The hard-hitting allrounder has proved his mettle time after time- with his explosive batting down the order and providing his team with early breakthroughs with the ball in hand whenever the team needed it. Hardik’s flamboyant journey in the league began with his stellar 61 runs off just 31 balls in 2015 against the Kolkata Knight Riders and since then he has consistently played match-winning knocks for the Mumbai Indians. His IPL triumphs have catapulted him into the scene of international cricket, where he has led India to glorious victories on multiple occasions.
You will be astonished to know that this stalwart of T20 cricket was roped in by Mumbai Indians in 2015 at a meager ₹10 Lakhs.
3. Rinku Singh
2023’s wonder boy Rinku Singh has been an integral part of the Kolkata Knight Riders since 2018, however, due to inconsistent performance and various other factors Rinku could never cement his spot in KKR’s playing XI. But all these problems were done away with when Rinku scripted history by recording the biggest run chase in the last over of an IPL match ever. With his 5 consecutive maximums in the last 5 balls of the final over against Gujarat Titans, Rinku became an overnight sensation across the country. Stalwarts of the game from across the globe flung in to congratulate Rinku on his unprecedented feat, and ever since there was no turning back for him, he went on to produce exceptional cameos and even match-winning knocks for the Knights in almost every single match since then.
Rinku was bought initially by the KKR at ₹80 Lakhs in 2018, however, the Knights released Rinku ahead of IPL 2022 only to buy him back at an even cheaper price of ₹55 Lakhs.
The bowler whom Rinku hit for 5 sixes in the last over Yash Dayal was bought by the Royal Challengers Bangalore ahead of IPL 2024 at a staggering ₹5 Crores while Rinku continues to play at a modest salary of ₹55 Lakhs.
4.Sanju Samson:
Sanju is one of the most experienced players in the league’s history and has been a part of the tournament ever since KKR picked him in their squad ahead of IPL 2009. Though he was picked up by KKR, they could never really find Sanju a spot in their playing XI and eventually let him go in 2012. Ahead of IPL 2013 he was roped in by the Rajasthan Royals, this was a turning point in Sanju’s career as he went on to play many flamboyant knocks as an opener while batting with one of the greats of Indian Cricket- Rahul Dravid. He is an exquisite batter with impeccable timing skills and is amongst the few Indian batters who have multiple centuries in the league.
Sanju’s success for the Royals convinced the team’s management to hand him the reins of the team in 2021. In his three years as the Rajasthan captain Sanju has already taken his team to the playoffs once and will hope to replicate that this time around.
Sanju was bought by the Rajasthan Royals in 2013 at an economical base price of ₹10 Lakhs.
Yuzvendra Chahal:
Following Sanju in the list, we have his Rajasthan teammate- Yuzvendra Chahal. Chahal is one of those quality wrist spinners that India hasn’t had for a very long time. His stupendous performances for the Royal Challengers Bangalore, where he was Virat’s ‘go-to man’ whenever the team needed a breakthrough, made him an invaluable asset to the franchise.
In 2022, he made it to the list of the elite Indian bowlers who have ever taken a hat trick in the league that is often thought of as the ‘paradise for the batters’. His funny banter with players on either side of the match thrust him into the limelight and made him popular across the world of cricket.
In 2014 RCB bought Chahal at his base price of ₹10 Lakhs. The performances that he has produced ever since surely render that amount to be nothing short of a steal.
This is the complet list of: 5 famous IPL players who were bought at less than ₹1 Cr.