Most Expensive Uncapped Player In Each IPL Season: The Indian Premier League Auction is also famous for breaking records to acquire global superstars, but the IPL franchises, in the past, have also demonstrated incredible faith in the uncapped players, who were the cricketers who had not yet made their national entry at the international level at the moment of purchase.
While some of these costly uncapped picks succeeded in becoming mainstays in Indian cricket, others failed to deliver justifiable performances considering their price tags. The Most Expensive Uncapped Player in Every IPL Season can provide a very interesting perspective on talent hunting, risk, and unpredictability associated with a cricketing career.
Most Expensive Uncapped Player In Each IPL Season
IPL 2008-2013: Before the Official “Uncapped” Category
In the early stages of the IPL, the categorisation between capped and uncapped players did not actually exist. Yet, several local and upcoming cricketers managed to attract significant bids.
IPL 2008 – Brett Geeves (Delhi Daredevils)
Bought for US$50,000, Brett Geeves was one of the more expensive local choices. However, he failed to leave any imprint and disappeared quickly from the IPL radar.
IPL 2009 – George Bailey (Chennai Super Kings)
CSK acquired George Bailey for a cost of US$50,000. Though his performances in the IPl were not remarkable, George had a very successful stint with the international team, Australia.
IPL 2010: Harmeet Singh Bansal, Harshal Patel & Ashok Menaria
All three were retained in the IPL at a base price of ₹80,000. Of these, Harshal Patel would move on to become a Purple Cap holder and even represent India.
IPL 2011 – Davy Jacobs (Mumbai Indians)
Being bought for US$190,000, Jacobs has high hopes but has yet to carve a niche for himself in the IPL.
IPL 2012: Daniel Harris (Deccan Chargers)
The left-handed batsman was acquired for 70,000 USD. His short playing career went unnoticed.
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IPL 2013 – Nathan Coulter-Nile (Mumbai Indians)
For US$450,000, Coulter-Nile embarked on a successful international career with Australia. Even as an IPL fast bowler, he has proved indispensable.
IPL 2014-2017: The Increasing Trust in Local Players
IPL 2014: Karn Sharma (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
Karn Sharma was bought for $375,000. He made history by winning IPL titles with three different franchises. His international cricket stint may not be lengthy, but he has remained a constant force domestically.
IPL 2015: Shreyas Iyer (Delhi Daredevils)
Acquired for Rs 2.6 crores, Shreyas Iyer proved that every single penny was worth it. He not only came to be remembered as one of the test centurions in India but also as a reliable IPL captain. He is now counted among the senior most cricketers
IPL 2016: Pawan Negi (Delhi Daredevils)
Negi has fetched a staggering purse of Rs8.5 crore. Although he has displayed some promise, he has not been consistent and plays largely in veteran leagues.
IPL 2017: T. Natarajan (Kings XI Punjab)
Priced at Rs 3 crore, Natarajan brought fame to himself with his lethal yorkers. Though his stint in international cricket was marred due to injuries, Natarajan remains very active in domestic as well as the IPL.
IPL 2018 – 2020: Big Money on
IPL 2018: Krunal Pandya (Mumbai Indians)
He was retained for a payment of Rs8.8 crores and played a major role in MI’s championship successes. He then became a part of the Indian national side and now plays for RCB.
IPL 2019 & 2020 – Varun Chakravarthy (Kolkata Knight Riders)
Bought in 2019 for Rs8.4 crore and in 2020 for Rs4 crore, he became one of the most successful mystery spinners in T20 cricket and earned his caps for India.
IPL 2021-2023: Uncapped Players Go Past the ₹10 Crore
IPL 2021: Krishnappa Gowtham (Punjab Kings)
Picked up for Rs 9.25 crores, Gowtham was a utility all-rounder, however, had limited international matches under his
IPL 2022: Avesh Khan (Lucknow Super Giants)
Avesh Khan was sold for Rs10 crore, which made him the first uncapped player to reach double figures in an IPL auction. He is now established within the fast bowling ranks for India.
IPL 2023: Shivam Mavi (Gujarat Titans)
For Rs 6 crores, Mavi’s development was thwarted by injuries, even as he continues to keep himself active in domestic cricket.
IPL 2024-2026: Breaking Records with Bids and
IPL 2024: Sameer Rizvi (Chennai Super Kings)
CSK acquired Sameer Rizvi for ₹8.4 crore. Although, his stint with CSK remained brief, as later on, he joined the Delhi Capitals.
IPL 2025: Rasikh Salam Dar (Royal Challengers Bangalore)
Purchased for Rs6 crores, Rasikh Salam had a comeback story of sorts as he won the IPL with RCB. Currently, he is representing Baroda in domestic cricket.
IPL 2026: Prashant Veer & Kartik Sharma (Chennai Super Kings)
Making history at Rs14.2 crore, Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma are the most expensive uncapped players ever in IPL. Prashant Veer: Left-arm spin all Kartik Sharma: Wicket Both have been considered long-term investments and potential stars by CSK.
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