Chennai: The IPL players’ auction invariably throws up a few surprises every year, with unlikely players emerging as crorepatis.
One such cricketer who ruled the roost at Thursday’s auction here, ahead of IPL-14, happened to be South African all-rounder Chris Morris.
The 33-year-old became the most expensive buy in IPL history, as Rajasthan Royals got him on board shelling out a whopping Rs 16.25 crore.
He beat the Rs 16 crore deal Delhi Daredevils (later rechristened as Delhi Capitals) had settled to acquire Yuvraj Singh in 2015.
Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians both wanted Morris, who started with a base price of Rs 75 lakh. As the bid shot up sky high, Rajasthan Royals entered the battle and were joined by Punjab Kings. The Royals ultimately got Morris for a price never before witnessed in an IPL auction.
The others who fetched big prices were Australian all-rounders Glenn Maxwell (Rs 14.25 crore, RCB) and Jhye Richardson (Rs 14 crore, Punjab Kings).
Among Indian cricketers, K Gowtham was bought by Chennai Super Kings for Rs 92.5 lakh.
