Top 6 highest paid IPL 2018 players

IPL 2018 drew to a close on Sunday evening as Chennai Super Kings clinched the title at Wankhede Stadium, marking their return to the league in a grand fashion.

Indian Premier League has always been quite notable for being a mega-money competition, where cash-rich companies splurge on players like no other.

This season was more or less the same in terms of franchises' bankable wherewithal, which they flaunted at the IPL auction.

On that note, let us take a look at the top 6 highest paid IPL players this season.

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#6 Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya was one of the three players retained by Mumbai Indians and as it appears, it was an acceptable decision. The Baroda all-rounder was excellent with the ball this season, becoming Mumbai's leading wicket-taker as he managed 18 wickets in the 13 matches he played.

However, Pandya was pretty underwhelming with the bat as the powerful hitter was expected to do more than a total of 260 runs. His uncharacteristic innings against Sunrisers Hyderabad, in which he scored 3 runs off 19 balls furnished a stream of trolls and criticism.

Hardik Pandya will receive a salary of ₹11 crore, which is quite eye-watering for a player of his stature.

#5 Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina could not replicate his previous IPL form

Suresh Raina is the leading run scorer in IPL history, which itself speaks of his impressive batting ability.

This season, the 31-year-old notched up 445 runs at an average of 37.08 and a strike rate of 132.44. Although the statistics do seem agreeable, Raina showed shades of age catching up with him this year. The southpaw was unable to display the typical confidence in his batting displays, which is alarming for his future in the Indian national team.

He was retained by Chennai Super Kings for ₹11 crore, which was a bit astronomical according to his performances.

#4 AB de Villiers

AB de Villiers announced his retirement soon after IPL

Mr. 360 took the cricket world by storm a few days ago when he announced his international retirement.

AB de Villiers racked up 480 runs this season with an average of 53.33 and a strike rate close to 175. However, despite his talismanic performance, the South African could not lead his side to the playoffs.

In a star-studded team, it was de Villiers who outshone everyone else, be it in terms of batting or fielding.

Gravity-defying catch

The fans went gaga over his famous gravity-defying catch against Sunrisers Hyderabad, which was a manifestation of his superior athleticism and tremendous dedication of staying physically fit.

He was retained by Royal Challengers Bangalore for ₹11 crore, the same as Hardik Pandya and Suresh Raina. The 34-year-old patently justified the money expended by the franchise on him.

#3 Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma failed to deliver with the bat

It was a season to forget for the Mumbai Indians's skipper who failed to deliver with the bat. The Hitman only managed to score 286 runs in 14 matches with a shocking average of 23.83. It is a telling fact that this was the first time the 31-year-old failed to cross the 300-run mark in his 11 years of IPL.

Rohit's substandard performance was one of the key reasons for Mumbai Indians inglorious departure from the tournament. The team was largely pivoting on their skipper's form and majorly struggled whenever he betrayed. Rohit found himself in the firing line and was a shadow of his former self well-nigh throughout the season.

He will receive a salary of ₹15 crore this year, which Rohit is evidently undeserving of, as he failed to live up to fans' expectations.

#2 MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni skippered his side to IPL triumph for the third time

MS Dhoni has shown once again that he is still not ready to bid adieu to the beautiful game. The veteran skippered his side to the IPL triumph for the third time.

He notched up 455 runs with an awe-inspiring average of 75.83 and a strike rate of 150.66 in the IPL despite battling severe back pain. It is somewhat rare for us to heap praises on Dhoni's batting performances of late since it is usually his captaincy that takes the stage and bedazzles the spectators. However, the 36-year-old threw down the gauntlet to such notions with his consistent batting performances as well as ineffable captaincy this season.

He was retained by Chennai Super Kings for ₹15 crore, and it was worth every penny shelled out for him.

#1 Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli

This one was quite predictable, wasn't it?

After all, the Delhiite captains the Indian national team and is arguably the best batsman in the modern cricketing world.

Although the Run Machine did silence his critics with his sterling individual performances, it was yet another disappointing season for Virat Kohli as a skipper, as his side failed to reach the playoffs.

The over-reliance of Royal Challengers Bangalore on their two behemoths, AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli, cost the franchise as almost every other player failed to step up to the plate.

The Indian skipper accomplished 530 runs this year at an average of 48.18 and a strike rate close to 140.

Kohli was retained by RCB for ₹17 crore, which is justifiable in terms of his eminence but the big money did call for a lot more from the 29-year-old.