IPL 2020 auction: 5 most expensive overseas signings in the T20 league’s history

#2 David Warner -- ₹12.5 crore

David Warner

Apart from being involved in the ball-tampering scandal, another similarity binds Smith and David Warner. They both earn the same salary in IPL. Like Smith, Warner too has been retained by his franchise, Sunrisers Hyderabad, for ₹12.5 crore.

Warner has been among the most successful overseas players in the history of IPL. He led the franchise to their only title win in 2016, amassing 848 runs in 17 games at a strike rate of 151.42 with as many as nine fifties. In fact, starting with 2014, the year in which he joined Sunrisers, Warner has crossed 500 runs in every edition. He notched up 641 runs in 14 matches in 2017, and 692 runs in 12 games in 2019. Warner hit a century each in both these editions, and formed a formidable pairing with Englishman Jonny Bairstow in the most recent season.

With his big-hitting ability and consistency, Warner must have given nightmares to many bowlers in the IPL.

#1 Ben Stokes -- ₹14.5 crore

Ben Stokes. (Image Courtesy: IPLT20.com/BCCI)

Much before he became a World Cup superstar, Rising Pune Supergiant realised Ben Stokes’ potential and purchased him for a whopping Rs 14.5 crore at the 2017 auction. Stokes proved his worth as an all-rounder with 316 runs in 12 matches at a strike rate of 142.98, which included a hundred. He also chipped in with the ball, claiming 12 wickets at a strike rate of 22.00 and an impressive economy rate of 7.18 with a best of 3 for 18.

Stokes’ value as a cricketer with great all-round ability was evident in this season, and the fans saw it at a global stage during the 2019 World Cup. Stokes subsequently moved to Rajasthan Royals in 2018 for Rs 12.5 crore. He has not done all that well in the last two seasons -- scoring under 200 runs and picking less than 10 wickets. However, World Cup-winner Stokes is a completely different proposition and, in the wake of his recent heroics, Royals were left with no option but to retain him for the 2020 season.

It remains to be seen whether Stokes can repeat his heroics at the IPL level.