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The day of IPL 2021 Auction was an eventful one for the cricket fans.
The eight IPL franchises splurged a total of ₹145.30 crore to sign the players they wanted for the 14th IPL season.
While some underrated players earned big at this year's auction, a few established stars did not even get a single bid.
Over the years, fans have seen how the franchises release a few expensive players to buy them back at a cheaper price.
There have also been instances where a player has returned to a franchise after a gap of few seasons.
There were quite a few cricketers who returned to their respective former sides at IPL Auction 2021. Here's a list of the five such overseas players.
5. Daniel Christian - Royal Challengers Bangalore
Australian all-rounder Daniel Christian returns to the IPL after a three-year absence, thanks to his incredible performances in the 2020-21 Big Bash League.
Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore were involved in an intense bidding war at IPL 2021 Auction for Christian. Eventually, his former IPL team RCB secured his services.
Christian has played for four IPL franchises - Deccan Chargers, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Rising Pune Supergiant and Delhi Daredevils.
He was a part of the RCB set-up in 2013. The all-rounder failed to impress, however, scoring just six runs in two innings and gave away 55 runs in six wicketless overs.
It will be interesting to see if Christian gets a chance to prove himself again at RCB.
4. Mumbai Indians bought Nathan Coulter-Nile after releasing him ahead of IPL Auction 2021
The Mumbai Indians had signed Nathan Coulter-Nile for the first time in 2013. The Aussie quick then stayed away from the franchise for six seasons before making a comeback in IPL 2020.
The Mumbai-based team spent ₹8 crore to sign Coulter-Nile last year.
As the team management preferred Trent Boult as the team's premier overseas pace, Coulter-Nile warmed the benches for most of the season.
Mumbai subsequently released him before the IPL 2021 Auction because of the hefty price tag.
Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians jousted for Coulter-Nile's services before the latter secured his signature with a ₹5 crore bid.
3. Adam Milne - Mumbai Indians
Very few fans might be aware that Adam Milne had been a part of the Mumbai Indians before they re-bought him in IPL 2021 auction. The franchise had signed the Kiwi pacer as Pat Cummins's replacement in IPL 2018.
Unfortunately, Milne did not get a single game that season.
In IPL 2019, he suffered an injury, forcing MI to rope in Alzarri Joseph as his injury replacement.
Milne has played five IPL matches in his career. All his appearances came for Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2016 and 2017.
Milne has four IPL wickets to his name, and has an economy rate of 9.83.
2. Shakib Al Hasan
Shakib Al Hasan was an integral part of the Kolkata Knight Riders squad from 2011 to 2017. He won two IPL titles with the Knight Riders during that stint.
However, the Kolkata-based franchise decided against retaining the Bangladesh all-rounder ahead IPL 2018.
Subsequently, Sunrisers Hyderabad bought Shakib at the 2018 mega-auction and retained him for the 2019 season as well.
Shakib missed IPL 2020 because of his one-year suspension. But this year, he will make a comeback to the league with Kolkata Knight Riders.
Punjab Kings were also interested in Shakib's services. However, the Knight Riders outbid them to secure his services at ₹3.20 crore.
For the record, Shakib Al Hasan played 43 IPL games for Kolkata Knight Riders, scoring 498 runs and picking up 43 wickets.
1. Chris Morris
Rajasthan Royals broke the bank to secure Chris Morris' services at IPL 2021 Auction.
Royal Challengers Bangalore had released Morris from his ₹10 crore deal with an aim of getting him back at a lower price. They even bid for the South African all-rounder till the ₹9.75 crore mark this time.
Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings ultimately outbid the Royal Challengers and faced off to sign Morris. The Royals prevailed in the end with a record ₹16.25 crore bid.
RR had bought Morris for only ₹1.4 crore at IPL 2015 Auction. And six years later, they have paid almost 12 times that money to sign the same player!
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