5 players with most expensive spells in IPL history

With the regular season of the IPL coming to an end, the playoff season beckons with only two spots left undecided. While the battle for the playoff spots intensifies, four teams namely RR, RCB, KXIP and MI are on 12 points while KKR is on 14 points and in third place.

Two out of the five teams will qualify for the playoff stages of the tournament, leaving three teams and their sets of fans down in the dumps.

Even the best of bowlers in world cricket get their fair share of treatment from the batsmen in the IPL.

Here we take a look at the five players with most expensive spells in IPL history.

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#5 Ashok Dinda

In 2013, during the sixth season of the tournament, when the Pune Warriors India took on the Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium, Ashok Dinda had a night to forget.

The Indian bowler bowled his four overs but got absolutely thrashed all around the ground for 63 runs and picked up no wickets.

Dinda is an experienced bowler in the competition, aged 34 and has not been picked up by any side this season. Although the last time he played in the IPL was for the Rising Pune Supergiants.

Dinda played for five IPL franchises during his career namely, DD, RCB, KKR and the two former Pune teams. Dinda was smashed for 63 runs in his four overs against the side that went on to win the competition that season.

#4 Sandeep Sharma

Sandeep Sharma is having a good season with SRH this time around

24-year-old bowler, Sandeep Sharma was first signed to the IPL by KXIP in 2013 and spent five years at the franchise.

During the 2014 season, the seventh edition of the IPL, Sharma was smashed all over the park, at the Rajiv Gandhi Intl. Cricket Stadium against SRH, for figures of 65 runs conceded in his four overs picking up a wicket.

Sharma currently plays for Sunrisers Hyderabad after being selected in the auction. A talented bowler, Sharma has impressed in the IPL and will be a mainstay in teams for years t come.

The KXIP team that season finished runners-up to the eventual winners KKR. However, the player will be competing in another playoff series for a team and will be eager to win the IPL for the first time in his career.

#3 Umesh Yadav

Yadav was in good form for RCB this season

Umesh Yadav currently plays for RCB but in 2013, he played for DD and got thrashed for 65 runs in his four overs picking up no wickets against an RCB that contained Gayle and Kohli.

The Indian bowler has cemented his spot in the national team with good performances domestically and internationally.

Yadav has played for three franchises in the IPL, initially signing for DD before moving to KKR and then being picked up by RCB.

During his time with KKR, Yadav in his first year claimed the IPL trophy in 2014, before finishing fifth, fourth and then third.

The 30-year-old experienced fast bowler is in his prime and will be eager to make the playoffs this season with RCB.

#2 Ishant Sharma

Ishant was picked apart by CSK batsmen

Ishant Sharma has played for five IPL franchises since the start of the tournament back in 2008.

The former Indian bowler has not been picked by a team for this season. However, back in 2013, against CSK, during his time with SRH, Ishant got picked apart by the likes of Raina, Vijay and Hussey.

He finished his spell of four overs, going for 66 runs and not taking a single wicket. Sharma has played for KKR, KXIP, RPS and the two Hyderabad teams.

The pacer has struggled to get back into form and in contention for a spot in the national team.

Sharma, now 29-year-old and in his prime is an experienced veteran will be eager for a last push in the national team.

He has never been part of a team that's won the IPL across his five stints with different teams.

#1 Basil Thampi

Thampi was thrashed by the RCB batsmen

Former Gujarat Lions bowler, Basil Thampi was picked up by SRH this season and has been a utility player for the team. However, a few days ago against RCB the player got absolutely thrashed setting a new record as the most expensive spell in IPL history.

Thampi got hit for 70 runs in his four overs and picked up no wickets. While the team have already qualified for the playoffs this year, SRH will want the player to bowl consistently.

In only his second IPL season, the 24-year-old Malayali has played well for the team who are the table toppers. SRH are real contenders to win the title this season and Thampi can play a helping hand.

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