As the excitement for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction builds up, it’s the perfect time to look back at the journey of the IPL auctions. Since its inception in 2008, the IPL has become a global phenomenon, not just for its high-octane cricket but also for its intense player auctions. The auctions have become a crucial part of building a successful team, and over the years, IPL franchises have made some intelligent and game-changing picks. So, ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, let’s take a trip down memory lane and look at three of the smartest picks made by franchises in IPL auction history.
In IPL 2008, the first-ever IPL auction took place, and it was a game-changer for Indian cricket. It opened the doors for young and talented cricketers, both from India and abroad, to showcase their skills and make a name for themselves in the international cricket arena. Among the many talented players who were picked in the auction, one name that stood out was that of the young and dynamic, AB de Villiers.
The former South African skipper, who was relatively unknown in Indian cricket at that time, was snapped up by the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) for a modest sum of $300,000. Many cricket experts deemed it as a risky move considering de Villiers’ unproven track record in Indian conditions. However, the Delhi Daredevils’ team management saw something special in the flamboyant batsman and trusted their instincts.
And it turned out to be one of the smartest picks in IPL auction history. De Villiers quickly established himself as a vital cog in the Delhi Daredevils’ batting lineup, scoring 340 runs in his first IPL season. Over the years, he became one of the most consistent and destructive batsmen in the tournament. He has amassed over 5,000 runs in the IPL and continues to dazzle fans with his unorthodox strokeplay and match-winning performances. His presence in the Delhi Daredevils’ team has been a game-changer, and it all started with a smart pick at the 2008 IPL auction.
Moving on to IPL 2011, the Royal Challengers Bangalore made a brilliant move by picking up a young and uncapped all-rounder, who would go on to become a stalwart in the franchise and one of the best all-rounders in world cricket – Shane Watson. The Australian all-rounder was a little-known commodity at the time, but RCB’s team management showed immense faith in him by shelling out a whopping $1.9 million for his services.
Many eyebrows were raised at the high sum paid for a relatively unknown player, but it turned out to be a masterstroke. Watson went on to become one of RCB’s key players, scoring 1,015 runs and taking 25 wickets in his first three seasons with the franchise. He has been an integral part of the team’s success over the years and has played a crucial role in taking them to the finals on multiple occasions. RCB’s smart pick of Shane Watson at the 2011 IPL auction not only paid off in terms of on-field performances but also helped raise the profile of the league and attract more international players.
Finally, let’s fast forward to IPL 2018, where Sunrisers Hyderabad made a smart and unconventional pick in the auction by signing up a relatively unknown Indian all-rounder, who has now become a household name – Vijay Shankar. The lanky all-rounder from Tamil Nadu was picked up by SRH for a modest sum of INR 3.2 crore, which turned out to be a bargain deal.
At the time of the auction, Shankar was relatively unknown in Indian cricket circles, but the SRH team management saw potential in the all-rounder and decided to take a chance on him. And it paid off handsomely as Shankar became one of the standout performers for SRH in the 2018 season, scoring 187 runs and taking six wickets in just nine matches. He has continued to impress with his all-round abilities in the following seasons, becoming a dependable player for the franchise.
Apart from his on-field performances, Shankar’s rise from an unknown player to a vital member of the SRH team has inspired many young cricketers in India. It just
