Top 5 buys from the 2008 IPL auction, and where they are now

The player auction for the 2020 Indian Premier League (IPL) season is all set to take place in Kolkata on 19 December. The IPL auction is a much-awaited event on the cricketing calendar each year, as fans are eager to know which franchise their favourite players would be turning out for.

However, back in 2008, before the inaugural edition was to take place, there was a lot of intrigue around the auction. Neither the players, nor the franchises and the fans were sure what to expect, as it was a new experience for everyone.

The auction system was also completely different back then. Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Yuvraj Singh and Virender Sehwag were named as icon players, which meant they wouldn’t enter the auction, and would play for their respective home teams.

Also, two separate round of auctions were held, and some big names walked away with handsome pay packages.

Here’s a look back at the top five buys from the 2008 auction, and what they are presently doing.

#5 Irfan Pathan ($9,25,000)

Irfan Pathan

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan was hot property back in 2008. He was the man of the match in the 2007 World T20 final, which India won after defeating Pakistan in a pulsating final. Pathan was also one of the most reliable members of the Indian team across formats.

On the basis of his reputation, he was purchased by Kings XI Punjab for $9,25,000. He had a decent season, with 15 wickets in 14 games at a strike rate of 21.20. With the bat, he scored 131 runs at strike rate of 112.93.

He went on to represent Delhi Daredevils and Chennai Super Kings as well before ending his IPL career with Gujarat Lions in 2017.

Also see – Bangladesh Premier League Most Wickets

Just like his tenure with the Indian team, Pathan's IPL career was also unpredictable, with many ups and downs. He finished with 1,139 runs and 80 wickets in 103 matches.

Pathan last turned out for India during the 2012 World T20, in a game against South Africa at Colombo. He got injured, as it often happened with him just as he began to find rhythm, and his international career ended abruptly.

In 2018, he joined Jammu & Kashmir Ranji team as a player-cum-mentor. In between, he has dabbled in commentary and appeared on a dance reality show.

#4 Ishant Sharma ($9,50,000)

Ishant Sharma

Fresh from his legendary spell in the Perth Test where he gave Ricky Ponting a harrowing time, the lanky Ishant Sharma was purchased by Kolkata Knight Riders for $9,50,000. The fast bowler did not have a great season though, as he managed to claim only eight wickets in 13 games at an average of 41.37.

His IPL career has been pretty average, with his best haul of 15 wickets coming in 2013 while turning out for Sunrisers Hyderabad. After going unsold in the 2018 season, he was picked up by Delhi Capitals for Rs 1.1 core for the 2019 season.

The experienced pacer did a good job for them, claiming 13 wickets in as many games at a strike rate of 21.23.

For India, Ishant is currently the leader of the pace attack in Tests, which is arguably the most potent one at present in world cricket. Against Bangladesh, he became the first Indian bowler to claim a five-for in a pink-ball Test.

Ishant no longer plays one-day and T20Is, as India have moved on to younger talent. His last ODI was in 2016, and last T20I in 2013.

#3 Sanath Jayasuriya ($9,75,000)

Sanath Jayasuriya

Sri Lankan legend Sanath Jayasuriya was picked up by Mumbai Indians in the 2008 auction for $9,75,000. The move meant the world would get to see two of the game’s greatest opening together - Jayasuriya and Sachin Tendulkar. It was a dream come true for many fans across the globe.

The left-hander was in typically murderous form for MI, plundering 518 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 167.63. He smashed an unbeaten 114 from 48 balls, his only IPL century, in a game against Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. That was the same match in which Tendulkar made his IPL debut, after missing the earlier games due to a groin injury.

Jayasuriya failed to repeat his form in the subsequent seasons, and did not play the tournament after 2010.

He continued playing ODIs and T20Is for Sri Lanka till 2011. Jayasuriya subsequently entered politics, and was Member of the Parliament for Matara from 2010 to 2015.

In 2013, he was appointed as the chairman of Sri Lanka’s cricket selection committee. In February this year, Jayasuriya was banned for two years from taking part in any cricket-related activity by ICC’s anti-corruption unit, for failing to co-operate in a corruption investigation.

#2 Andrew Symonds ($1.35 million)

Andrew Symonds

Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds was the most expensive overseas player in the inaugural auction. He was purchased by Deccan Chargers for a whopping $1.35 million.

Symonds' monster-hitting ability combined with his incredible fielding skills and useful spin bowling made him the perfect T20 choice. He played only four games that year, but smashed a magnificent 117 not out against Rajasthan Royals, hitting 11 fours and seven sixes. It came in a losing cause though as Royals won by three wickets.

Symonds was part of the DC squad that won the title in 2009, scoring 249 runs in eight matches. He was signed by Mumbai Indians in 2011 for $8,50,000, which meant he would play in the same team as Harbhajan Singh, the two central figures in the Monkeygate controversy.

Symonds scored 135 runs in 11 matches at a strike rate of under 100. It was his last season in IPL.

The all-rounder announced his retirement from all cricket in February 2012 to concentrate on family life. His last international match was the T20I against Pakistan at Dubai in May 2009.

Symonds made headlines in 2018 when he claimed Harbhajan apologised to him for calling him a ‘monkey’ during their Mumbai Indians reunion, a claim the former India off-spinner denied. Earlier, in 2011, he also participated in the Indian reality show Bigg Boss season 5.

#1 MS Dhoni ($1.5 million)

MS Dhoni

It was no surprise that Mahendra Singh Dhoni walked away with the biggest sum of $1.5 million. Fresh from leading India to victory in the 2007 World T20, Dhoni was back then the biggest brand in Indian cricket. He was purchased by Chennai Super Kings, a franchise which has tasted incredible success with Dhoni at the helm.

Dhoni was an instant success in the IPL, scoring 414 runs in 16 games at an average of 41.40 and a strike rate of 133.54 in the inaugural edition.

Under Dhoni, CSK won the IPL in 2010, 2011 and 2018. They have also appeared in a record eight finals, including in 2019, where they went down to Mumbai Indians.

Just like his time with Team India, Dhoni has won laurels for his shrewd leadership skills while captaining CSK. As a player too, Captain Cool has an incredible IPL record -- 4,432 runs in 190 matches at an average of 42.20, and a strike rate of 137.85.

Following India’s exit from the 2019 World Cup in the semi-final against New Zealand, Dhoni’s future has been a subject of constant debate. He has not played a single international fixture since, and recently asked fans and media to wait till January to know about his future plans.

Team India coach Ravi Shastri, however, has all but confirmed that Dhoni will play IPL 2020.