Most Expensive Players in IPL 2022

IPL 2022 is going on and has been among the most entertaining tournaments since the beginning of the year. With this most awaited championship, there is much more going on around in the cricket sector. Initially, the primary stepping stones were laid with the beginning of the players' auction. Hugh Edmeades, the customary auctioneer for the IPL 2022 Auction, fainted on the first day due to Postural Hypotension, causing disruptions to the two-day event.

In two days, 204 players were sold for a total of Rs. 551.7 crores, leaving ten teams with enough money to assemble a dangerous roster. However, there was a disappointment as several big names, such as Suresh Raina, who made 5528 runs in 205 IPL matches, could not find a buyer.

Raina had been a Chennai Super Kings player and is still among their lead run-scorers for the tournament. Due to personal circumstances, the left-handed batter only missed one season in 2020.

This article includes a brief about this year's most expensive players and an overview of the top 5 of them. Go through the article to know more in detail.

IPL 2022 Mega Auction's Most Expensive Players

The highly expensive players in the IPL 2022 super auction are listed below:

Overview of Top Five Most Expensive Players

Let's take a look at the five most costly purchases made at the IPL super auction in 2022.

1. Ishan Kishan - Rs. 15.25 crores

Ishan Kishan had a triumphant return to cricket with the five-time IPL winners Mumbai Indians, who bought him for Rs. 15.25 crore. The costliest acquisition in the high-profile event was the Jharkhand wicketkeeper-batter.

Ishan was in the MI management's sights after scoring 1133 runs in 45 IPL games for the Mumbai Indians in 2018 and 21. Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings both bid for Ishan's services, as the two teams competed for the left-handed batter's services.

Punjab dropped out at Rs. 7.50 crores, but Gujarat Titans fought back against the MI Paltans but were quickly eliminated. After Ishan exceeded the limit of Rs. 15-crore, MI had to offer thrice for him, as their penultimate rival Sunrisers Hyderabad had given up hope.

2. Deepak Chahar - Rs. 14 crores

Chahar joined CSK in 2018 and has since played 58 IPL matches for MS Dhoni's team, picking up 58 wickets for an Economy rate of 7.70. In the PowerPlay overs, Chahar has been Dhoni's most crucial bowler, making the most of his talent to swing the ball.

Delhi Capitals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals, and Chennai Super Kings were all in a bidding war for the 29-year-old. CSK joined the bidding war once the player's value had surpassed the Rs. 10 crores threshold. CSK forced Capitals to back down after raising the price tag to Rs. 13 crores, while Rajasthan Royals fought back till the bid reached Rs. 14 crores.

3. Shreyas Iyer - Rs. 12.25 crores

Kolkata Knight Riders purchased the Mumbai batsman for a hefty Rs. 12.25 crores after the two-time IPL winners outsmarted Gujarat Titans and Delhi Capitals. After taking over the leadership duties from Gautam Gambhir in the IPL 2018, Iyer has led the Delhi Capitals to a turnaround.

After a seven-year break, the Delhi franchise competed for the IPL playoffs in 2019, and the following year, they started appearing in a final, losing to Mumbai Indians. Iyer can not only provide a middle-order bat for any squad, but he may also be a candidate for the managerial position.

After seven seasons with the Delhi Capitals, Iyer will be playing for his second franchise. He missed the very first Leg of the IPL 2021 due to a shoulder ailment. Iyer is Delhi Capitals' third-highest run-scorer with 2375 runs from 87 matches, behind Virender Sehwag (2382) and Rishabh Pant (2498).

4. Liam Livingstone - Rs. 11.50 crores

After being sold to Punjab Kings for Rs. 11.50 crores, the England all-rounder became one of the costliest overseas players in the IPL 2022 auction. Last year, he was crowned player of the tournament in the inaugural Men's Hundred after hitting 348 runs for Birmingham Phoenix with a strike rate of 178.46.

Livingstone appeared in nine games for the Rajasthan Royals over two seasons (2019 and 2021), but he did not make the most of his chances. CSK and KKR had made approaches for the England elegant all-rounder before Punjab snatched him up.

5. Shardul Thakur - Rs. 10.75 crores

Thakur brings various skills to the table, including the ability to bowl in the middle innings and hold runs within slog overs. He can contribute to his team's breakthroughs and serve as a finisher at the bottom of the batting order.

In 2015, Thakur appeared in only one game with Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) against Delhi Capitals. In IPL 2017, he played a total of 12 matches for Rising Pune Supergiant before joining CSK, where he spent four seasons and won two titles.

In the IPL 2022 auction, Delhi Capitals paid Rs. 10.75 crores for Thakur. At the same price, Harshal Patel (RCB), Wanindu Hasaranga (RCB), and Nicholas Pooran (SRH) were sold.

Overview of IPL 2022 Top Buys

Shocking! Steve Smith and Suresh Raina Weren't Sold

Steve Smith and Suresh Raina went unsold at the IPL Auction 2022 on February 12, which was a somewhat shocking move. Raina's selection was surprising, given he is among the most successful IPL batsmen.

However, his absence from the IPL 2021 and the ensuing scandal may have harmed his chances. Smith's selection was not unexpected, given the Australian batsman had previously failed to make a significant contribution for either the Delhi Capitals or the Rajasthan Royals.