A few days before the IPL auction, the teams get down to business–they retain, release, and participate in trade before the window closes. This trade window has again grabbed eyeballs with big names making a move–Hardik Pandya returns to Mumbai Indians and Cameron Green to RCB for IPL 2024. These transfers have made the teams dig deep into their pockets. On the same note, we look at the five biggest transfers in IPL history in terms of money.
#5 Shikhar Dhawan: SRH to DC
The left-handed opener enjoyed a six-year stay with the Sunrisers Hyderabad. In 2018, the Orange Army used their Right to Match (RTM) to get back Dhawan for Rs.5.20 crore.
However, for the 2019 season, SRH let go of Dhawan. They traded him off to the Delhi Capitals and got the services of not one but three players in return–Abhishek Sharma, Shahbaz Ahmed, and medium-pace allrounder, Vijay Shankar.
#4 Lockie Ferguson: GT to KKR
The right-arm speedster from New Zealand made a return to the Kolkata Knight Riders in 2023. In 2022, the Kiwi won the IPL title with the Gujarat Titans, but the Ahmedabad-based franchise traded him off to Kolkata.
This deal cost KKR a whopping Rs.10.50 crore of their allotted purse. In 2023, Lockie featured in three matches for KKR and picked up a single wicket. KKR have released him before the IPL auction 2024. It remains to be seen where the Kiwi pacer ends after the auction. Will KKR rebuy at a lower price?
#3 Shardul Thakur: DC to KKR
KKR invested in Shardul Thakur to strengthen their bowling lineup and lower-middle order. They got his services for a gigantic sum of Rs.10.50 crore from the Delhi Capitals for the 2023 season. This decision grabbed eyeballs as people were skeptical about the amount the Kolkata franchise was paying for Thakur.
In 10 innings, Thakur scored 113 runs, with a highest score of 68 and an average of 14.13. On the bowling front, he claimed seven wickets, leaking runs at 10.48. Because of this below-average performance, KKR have released him before the IPL 2024 auction.
#2 Hardik Pandya: GT to MI (One of the most talked-about transfers in IPL)
Hardik Pandya trade news has made the top headlines as we approach the auction for IPL 2024. The (now former) Gujarat Titans’ skipper’s move to his old franchise, Mumbai Indians has brought in mixed reactions.
Keeping the reactions aside, Pandya’s move has become one of the most expensive transfers in IPL history. Mumbai Indians have paid an enormous Rs.15 crore to gain the top Indian allrounder’s services.
#1 Cameron Green: MI to RCB
Cameron Green may go down in history as one of the forced transfers in IPL history. Mumbai Indians emptied their purse to get Hardik Pandya back. To compensate for the loss of Rs.15 crore, they have traded Aussie allrounder, Cameron Green to RCB.
Mumbai had bought Green for a humongous 17.5 crore, the second-most expensive purchase in IPL history up till IPL 2023. With his transfer to RCB for the 2024 IPL edition, Green becomes the biggest transfer in the T20 extravaganza.
Also read: Player of the Tournament Winner in ODI World Cup (1992 to 2023)
