Most expensive player at each IPL Auction from 2008 to 2018

#10: 2017 - Ben Stokes (Rising Pune Supergiants) - INR 14.5 Crores

Ben Stokes

Out of the 351 players shortlisted, 66 players were sold. The English duo of Ben Stokes and Tymal Mills generated the most frenzy among the bidding franchises. While Stokes was bought by Rising Pune Supergiants for INR 14.5 crores, Royal Challengers Bangalore spent INR 12 crores for Mills.

Karn Sharma (Mumbai Indians) was the most expensive Indian player whereas Thangarasu Natarajan (Kings XI Punjab) was the most expensive among uncapped players. Stokes was exceptional for Rising Pune Supergiants as they finished runners-up.

In the 2017 season, Stokes bagged the Most Valuable Player of the Season award. He scored 316 runs at an average of 31.6 and took 12 wickets from 12 matches. It was one of the rare occasions where the most expensive player turned out to be a roaring success.

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#11: 2018 - Ben Stokes (Rajasthan Royals) - INR 12.5 Crores

Ben Stokes

All teams were allowed to retain a maximum of three players for the 11th IPL season. Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals returned to IPL in 2018 by replacing Rising Pune Supergiants and Gujarat Lions. The returning franchises were allowed to retain players from their respective 2015 squads who were not part of the squads of any of the other six teams in 2017.

169 players (113 Indians and 56 from overseas) were sold at the auction. Rajasthan Royals topped the expensive buyers' list by roping in Ben Stokes for INR 12.5 crores and Jaydev Unadkat for INR 11.5 crores.

Among uncapped players, Krunal Pandya (Mumbai Indians) was the most expensive signing at INR 8.8 crores. Both Stokes and Unadkat were unable to replicate their performance from the previous year and disappointed for Rajasthan Royals.