IPL 2018 Auction: 5 most expensive players

#1 Ben Stokes to Rajasthan Royals (Rs. 12.5 Crores)

Stokes became the most expensive IPL player two years in a row

A pending case against him didn't deter Rajasthan Royals from going all out against the star all-rounder, whose England career over the next few months seems to be under a cloud of doubt. The costliest player last year as well, Stokes proved how he was worth every penny (and more) for the Rising Pune Supergiant, stitching together game-changing performances to take the team to the playoffs.

His big-hitting ability was witnessed throughout last year's IPL, including a century against the Gujarat Lions while chasing, so was his ability to slip in yorkers at will and bowl stifling spells in the middle-overs. Another striking aspect of his contribution was his livewire fielding, with the Kiwi-born throwing himself around without care, pouching some stunners and effecting direct hits with ease.

IPL 2017 stats: Matches - 12, Runs - 316, Average - 31.60, Strike-rate - 142.98