The much-anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 auction took place on 23 December. All ten franchises actively took part in the bidding process to make the event a grand success. A total of 167 crores were spent on buying 80 players. While most of the franchises successfully filled their empty slots, a few went with one or two empty slots. Punjab Kings ended the auction with the least number of players in their squad while they were left with a whopping 12.2 CR in the purse. Nevertheless, it was an exciting auction for many reasons.
IPL found its most expensive player in history at the IPL 2023 Mini Auction as Punjab Kings spent a whopping 18.5 CR on Sam Curran. In fact, the three most expensive buys in IPL auction history came within 30 minutes.
So, as IPL 2023 Mini Auction stands concluded, here are ten highlights from the event.
1. England all-rounder Sam Curran became the most expensive player in IPL Auction history. Punjab Kings spent a massive 18.5 Crores to secure the services of Curran. Meanwhile, England’s Harry Brook became the first millionaire of the IPL 2023 Auction as he was bought by SunRisers Hyderabad for a whopping price of 13.25 CR.
2. Cameron Green and Ben Stokes were the second and third most expensive players of the IPL 2023 Auction. While Green was bought for 17.5 Crores by Mumbai Indians, Stokes went to CSK for 16.25 Crores. Green is also the second-most expensive player in IPL auction history.
3. Joshua Little became the first Ireland cricketer to get picked up in an IPL Auction. Gujarat Titans bought Little for 4.6 Crores.
4. Shivam Mavi was the most expensive uncapped player at IPL 2023 Auction as he was bought for 6 Crores by Gujarat Titans. Notably, Mavi was also GT’s most expensive purchase at IPL 2023 Auction.
5. Former SunRisers Hyderabad captain Kane Williamson was picked up on his base price (of 2 Crores) by Gujarat Titans. Notably, Williamson saw a drop of 14 Crores in his IPL salary.
6. Nicholas Pooran once again fetched a massive price as Lucknow Super Giants roped in the West Indian for a massive 16 Crores.
7. Punjab Kings made the least number of purchases (6) and spent 20 Crores for the same. Also, Punjab ended the auction with the highest purse amount (12.2 CR).
8. Delhi Capitals’ most expensive buy at IPL 2023 Auction was an uncapped Indian player (Mukesh Kumar for 5.5 CR).
9. All players from Sri Lanka who had registered for IPL 2023 Auction went unsold.
10. Amit Mishra, the oldest player at IPL 2023 Auction, found a bidder in Lucknow Super Giants as the franchise secured the veteran spinner’s services at his base price of 50 Lakhs.
