The uncapped players at IPL auctions have always been seen as fillers in most teams, but on a few occasions teams broke the bank for them.
The Indian Premier League auction for the 2024 edition is all set to take place on December 19 in Dubai. As many as 333 players will go under the hammer, and the excitement surrounding the auction is already at its peak.
Harry Brook, Mitchell Starc, and Wanindu Hasaranga are some of the big players who are likely to attract high bids in the auction. However, the focus will also be on some of the upcoming Indian talents who are trying to make it big on the world stage.
Most expensive players by each IPL team in auction history
Over the years, there have been plenty of uncapped players who went on to hog the limelight by fetching big bucks from the franchises. The upcoming auction is expected to be no different.
Even as the big players from around the world are expected to set the auction on fire, a few of the uncapped Indian players may also steal some of the limelight.
Here, let us take a look at five uncapped players who fetched big money in IPL auctions:
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Uncapped players at IPL auctions: The big surprises
Avesh Khan – Lucknow Super Giants (2022)
Avesh Khan remains the most expensive buy among uncapped players in the history of the IPL. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) shelled out a price of INR 10 crore, up from a base price of INR 20 lakhs.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Mumbai Indians (MI), and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) were also involved in a bidding war before the Super Giants secured his services.
In 47 matches in the IPL thus far, Avesh has picked up 55 wickets at an economy rate of 8.63, with eight three-wicket hauls to his name.
On the back of his impressive showing in the IPL, Avesh, who played in the 2016 U19 World Cup under Ishan Kishan, went on to make his international debut last year.
Avesh is also a strong contender to be a part of the Indian bowling attack for the T20 World Cup to be held next year in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA).
Krishnappa Gowtham – Chennai Super Kings (2021)
Back in the 2021 edition of the IPL, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) brought Krishnappa Gowtham for INR 9.25 crores, a significant increase from his base price of INR 20 lakhs.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) engaged in a bidding war before the Super Kings joined in at 7.75 crores. The Knights backed out, after which the Sunrisers and CSK fought hard.
In the end, CSK had the last laugh. Gowtham has played 35 matches in the IPL, where he has scored 247 runs at an average of 13.72 and a strike rate of 166.89, with a top score of 33 not out to show for his efforts.
Apart from being a clean striker of the ball, he has also been an effective bowler with 21 wickets to his name. Prior to joining the five-time IPL champions, Gowtham was a part of the Rajasthan Royals (RR) after making his debut back in 2018.
Shahrukh Khan – Punjab Kings (2022)
Shahrukh Khan, the big-hitting batter from Tamil Nadu, was bought by the Punjab Kings in the 2022 IPL for a massive price of INR 9 crore, a remarkable increase from his base price of INR 40 lakhs.
The Super Kings and Knight Riders started a bidding war before PBKS jumped in and secured the services of the batter. In 33 matches in the IPL, Shahrukh has scored 426 runs at an average of 20.29 and a strike-rate of 134.81, with a top score of 47 to his name.
Ahead of the IPL 2024 auction, the Punjab-based franchise released Shahrukh, who will again be up for grabs in the auction. In 70 innings from 83 T20 matches, Shahrukh has scored 928 runs at an average of 18.93, with a top score of 47 to his name.
Shahrukh started making a name for himself after playing for the Lyca Kovai Kings in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) and hasn't looked back since then.
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Varun Chakravarthy – Punjab Kings (2019)
Back in the 2019 IPL auction, Punjab Kings (PBKS) bought Varun Chakravarthy for a massive price of INR 8.40 crores, a significant increase from his base price of INR 20 lakhs.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Delhi Capitals (DC) started the bidding war before the Kings, the Knight Riders, and Rajasthan Royals (RR) joined in. In the end, it was the Kings who roped in Chakravarthy, who came up the ranks after playing in the TNPL.
In that season, the off-spinner played only one match against the Knight Riders, where Sunil Narine took him to the cleaners. Ahead of the auction for the 2020 edition, PBKS released Chakravarthy, after which the Knights brought him in.
Currently, the tweaker is a crucial part of the KKR team. In 56 matches, Chakravarthy has picked up 62 wickets at an economy rate of 7.4. He, along with Sunil Narine and Suyash Sharma, are a crucial part of KKR’s spin attack.
On the back of his impressive showing, Chakravarthy also played for India in the T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Prabhsimran Singh – Punjab Kings (2019)
Punjab Kings (PBKS) invested in a young Prabhsimran Singh back in 2019 when they brought the wicketkeeper for a price of INR 4.80 crores, a significant increase from his base price of INR 20 lakhs.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) started the bidding at INR 20 lakhs, after which the Kings joined in. Later, Rohit Sharma’s Mumbai Indians (MI) tried their luck as well, but in the end, it was PBKS who roped in the youngster.
P in Prabhsimran stands for power! 💪#SaddaPunjab #PunjabKings #JazbaHaiPunjabi pic.twitter.com/muOwIH063Y — Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) June 26, 2023
The right-handed batter has been exceptional in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and tasted big success in the previous edition of the IPL. In 20 matches in the IPL, Prabhsimran has racked up 422 runs at an average of 21.10 at a strike-rate of 138.82.
Prabhsimran scored 358 runs from 14 matches in IPL 2023 at an average of 25.57 and a strike-rate of 150.42. The hundred that he racked up against the Delhi Capitals off 61 balls at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi brought him into the limelight.
