Where are they now: 5 most expensive players of IPL 2017 auction

Every IPL auction is filled with loads of surprises, with renowned cricketers remaining unsold, and cricketers whom only a few have heard the names of fetching big fat pay cheques.

We can see a similar story if we look back at the five most expensive buys of IPL 2017 auction. With the overall purse of the franchises getting a boost, the figures have increased for some, and has decreased exponentially for others. That being said, there is one player who went from being a millionaire to getting ignored by all the franchises.

Here are the 5 most expensive players in IPL 2017, and where they are now:

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#5 Patrick Cummins (Delhi Daredevils)

Patrick Cummins

Cummins was sold for Rs 4.5 crores to the Delhi Daredevils last year. The Australian pacer had a pretty good season, picking up 15 wickets in 12 games at an economy rate of just over 8 runs per over. He came in handy with the bat as well, scoring 77 runs at an average of over 15.

Owing to his decent performances for DD and for his national side, Cummins was roped in by defending champions Mumbai Indians for Rs 5.4 crores, which saw a 90-lakh hike in his paycheque.

#4 Trent Boult (Kolkata Knight Riders)

Trent Boult

Established overseas pacers are always in demand in the IPL, as every franchise wants to have one exceptional pacer leading their pace department.

Kolkata Knight Riders signed Kiwi left-arm speedster Trent Boult for Rs 5 crores, however, he couldn't quite live up to expectations, picking just 5 wickets in 6 matches, and leaking runs at an economy rate of over 9.

His poor performance cost him more than a 50% deduction from his cheque, as he will play for the Delhi Daredevils this year, who roped him in for just Rs 2.2 crores. He can well and truly prove to be a steal at that price.

#3 Kagiso Rabada (Delhi Daredevils)

Kagiso Rabada

South African youngster Kagiso Rabada made many in the cricketing fraternity sit up and take notice with his fiery pace and impeccable accuracy. The Daredevils' management bought the pacer for Rs 5 crores.

Rabada, however, wasn't as successful as he took 6 wickets in as many matches, and his economy rate was just under 9. DD used their Right To Match (RTM) card on him to get him for Rs 4.2 crores.

#2 Tymal Mills (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

Tymal Mills

Of all the names in this list, English pacer Tymal Mills got the harshest and the most shocking blow in this year's auction. Royal Challengers Bangalore had to spend Rs 12 crores for Mills, who they thought was the ideal replacement for Mitchell Starc.

His debut IPL season was far from what was expected, as Mills picked up just 5 wickets in as many matches he played, and leaked runs at an economy rate of over 8.5.

It was widely assumed that Mills wouldn't fetch as lucrative a contract as he did last year, but no bids for him surprised everyone, even the auctioneer Richard Madley.

#1 Ben Stokes (Rising Pune Supergiant)

Ben Stokes

While those fans present at the Eden Gardens on the final of ICC World T20 2016 will remember Stokes for conceding 24 runs from 4 deliveries, Stokes is undoubtedly one of the most utilizable commodity in the shortest formats of the game, as he is exceptionally proficient in all three departments of cricket, which makes him one of the best all-rounders of the current generation.

Stokes was picked by the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant last year for Rs 14.5 crores. As expected, Stokes was brilliant in all three departments, picking up 12 wickets at an economy rate of just over 7 and scoring 316 runs at an average of over 30 and a strike rate of over 140.

Owing to his amazing performances, Stokes was bought by the Rajasthan Royals for Rs 12.5 crores. Though there is a slight reduction in his pay cheque, he still remains the most expensive player to be sold in this year's auction.