What are the best bargain buys in IPL history?


IPL 2023 Winner

the unsung legends of the auction table! While the headlines go to the big-money signings, it’s often the bargain buys that turn out to be the real MVPs of the IPL 🤑🔥

Here’s a rundown of the best bang-for-buck buys in IPL history — players who massively outperformed their price tags:

💎 Best Bargain Buys in IPL History

🧨 Jasprit Bumrah – ₹10 Lakh (MI, 2013)

  • Picked as a virtually unknown 19-year-old.

  • Became MI’s strike bowler and India’s pace spearhead.

  • Still one of the best death bowlers in the world.

ROI: Unreal. ₹10L for a future GOAT? Highway robbery.

⚡ Hardik Pandya – ₹10 Lakh (MI, 2015)

  • Signed as a young all-rounder.

  • Delivered with explosive batting and handy bowling.

  • Became a match-winner and leader — later won a title as GT captain!

Cost nothing. Delivered everything.

🔥 David Warner – ₹5.5 Cr (SRH, 2014)

  • Might sound like a decent sum, but for what he delivered?

    • Orange Cap x3

    • Title-winning captain in 2016

  • One of the best overseas IPL players ever.

Best ₹5.5 Cr anyone’s ever spent.

🐺 Shane Watson – ₹4 Cr (RR, 2008)

  • Man of the Tournament in the inaugural season.

  • All-round beast, carried Rajasthan Royals to their only title.

IPL royalty, bought at mid-tier price.

💣 Andre Russell – ₹60 Lakh (KKR, 2014)

  • Explosive, match-turning all-rounder.

  • Became KKR’s most dangerous weapon, especially between 2015–2019.

“Muscle Russell” was worth every rupee and then some.

🧠 Glenn Maxwell – ₹10 Lakh (MI, 2012)

  • MI signed him cheap early on. He didn’t explode immediately but showed glimpses.

  • Later became a big name — still a bargain at the time.

🏹 Yuzvendra Chahal – ₹10 Lakh (RCB, 2014)

  • MI let him go; RCB picked him up cheap.

  • Became their lead spinner for nearly a decade and India regular.

Pure steal.

🎯 Mohammad Siraj – ₹2.6 Cr (RCB, 2018)

  • While not ultra-cheap, given what he’s become — especially post-2020 — it’s been great value.

  • Now a key death bowler and consistent performer.

🌠 Rahul Tewatia – ₹3 Cr (GT, 2022)

  • Epic finishing acts and calm under pressure.

  • Multiple game-winning cameos — most memorably vs PBKS (5 sixes in an over, 2020 for RR).

👑 Honorable Mentions:

  • T Natarajan – ₹20 Lakh (SRH)

  • Krunal Pandya – ₹2 Cr (MI, 2016)

  • Ruturaj Gaikwad – ₹20 Lakh (CSK)

  • Devdutt Padikkal – ₹20 Lakh (RCB)

  • Avesh Khan – ₹20 Lakh (DC, 2020)

  • Axar Patel – ₹10 Lakh (MI, 2013)

🏁 Final Thought:

It’s not always about the big cheques.
Sometimes, the smartest picks at the smallest prices make the biggest impact.

💸 IPL scouts + smart auctions = trophies in the cabinet 🏆