What are the biggest auction flops in IPL?


IPL 2023 Winner

the other side of the coin—IPL auction flops. For every bargain steal, there's a big-money buy that just didn’t live up to the hype (or the price tag). Whether due to injuries, form slumps, tactical misfits, or just plain bad luck, some players have become cautionary tales in IPL auction history.

Here’s a look at the biggest auction flops in IPL history 👇

🧨 All-Time Auction Flops in the IPL

💰 1. Yuvraj Singh – ₹16 Crore (2015, Delhi Daredevils)

  • Then the most expensive player in IPL history.

  • Delivered underwhelming returns: 248 runs in 14 matches.

  • Didn’t justify the huge price tag and was released the next season.

🐌 2. Ben Stokes – ₹16.25 Crore (2023, CSK)

  • A high-profile buy coming off international glory.

  • Played just 2 matches, injury-prone, minimal impact.

  • CSK barely used him, and he pulled out of the next season.

🪙 3. Jaydev Unadkat – ₹11.5 Crore (2018, RR)

  • Went from underdog to big-money pacer overnight.

  • Couldn’t replicate his earlier season’s success—struggled with economy and penetration.

  • Became the face of overpaid domestic buys.

⚔️ 4. Pat Cummins – ₹15.5 Crore (2020, KKR)

  • KKR broke the bank for Cummins.

  • While decent with the bat, his bowling didn't live up to expectations.

  • High economy rate, struggled to justify the huge spend.

🔒 5. Tymal Mills – ₹12 Crore (2017, RCB)

  • England’s left-arm quick bought for big bucks due to T20 hype.

  • Played just 5 matches, lacked impact and variety.

  • Injuries and poor form saw him fade quickly.

📉 6. Glenn Maxwell – ₹10.75 Crore (2020, KXIP)

  • Scored just 108 runs in 13 matches. Didn’t hit a single six all season.

  • KXIP regretted the spend big time—and RCB picked him up cheaply the next year where he exploded.

😬 7. Chris Morris – ₹16.25 Crore (2021, RR)

  • Most expensive player ever at the time.

  • Started well but faded badly.

  • Costly with the ball in death overs and not consistent enough with the bat.

⚾ 8. Aaron Finch – Multiple Teams, Big Bids, Little Impact

  • Bought by 9 different franchises over the years.

  • Despite international pedigree, never nailed down a successful IPL season.

  • Classic case of name over output.

🤕 9. Kyle Jamieson – ₹15 Crore (2021, RCB)

  • Came in with a reputation from Tests.

  • Didn’t adapt well to Indian conditions.

  • Expensive and struggled with variations in T20s.

🧤 10. Dinesh Karthik – ₹12.5 Crore (2014, DD)

  • Bought for a huge sum after a decent season with MI.

  • Couldn’t anchor or finish effectively. DD ended up in the bottom half again.

🔍 Common Reasons for Auction Flops

Reason Explanation
💸 Overhyped from international form Doesn’t always translate to IPL success
🏏 Poor role fit Used out of position or in unfamiliar conditions
🧠 Pressure of price tag Some players just don’t thrive under it
🤕 Injury-prone Miss multiple matches, disrupting team plans
🌍 Overseas overload Sometimes benched due to 4-foreigners limit

⚠️ Final Take

An IPL auction flop isn’t always about the player—it’s often about bad scouting, poor tactical fit, or short-sighted planning. Teams that go by hype over homework usually pay the price. Literally.