5 most expensive players in IPL auctions who justified their price tag

Kieron Pollard (Mumbai Indians)

Kieron Pollard

The Trinidadian announced his arrival at the inaugural Champions League T20 in 2009. He scored 146 runs in five innings in that tournament and exhibited his big-hitting capabilities. The Mumbai Indians bought him in the 2010 IPL auctions for an undisclosed amount above $750,000.

He was the joint most expensive player along with Shane Bond during the auctions. He helped Mumbai Indians to the finals in the inaugural season where they lost to the Chennai Super Kings.

In that season, the Trinidadian scored 273 runs and took 15 wickets in 14 matches for Mumbai. He played an integral part during Mumbai’s title win in the 2013 season, scoring 420 runs and collecting 10 wickets.

He has won three titles so far with MI, in 2013, 2015 and 2017. Pollard has been a genuine all-rounder and a big match player for his side, having scored 2343 runs and taken 56 wickets in 123 matches. Mumbai could use their RTM to buy back Pollard after retaining Rohit, Hardik and Bumrah for the 2018 season.