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Xtra Time Web Desk: South African all rounder Chris Morris became the costliest cricketer in the history of Indian Premier League. The Proteas cricketer was bought for a whopping 16.25 crore by Rajasthan Royals. Morris was entangled in a tug of war between Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals but it was eventually the later that won the bid. Morris became the most expensive cricketer in the history of cash rich league, getting past Pat Cummins who was sold to Kolkata Knight Riders for 15 crore.

Australian batsman Glenn Maxwell did enough during the recently concluded white ball series against India to influence the franchises. The Aussie batsman was brought by Royal Challengers Bangalore for 14.25 crore. The addition of Maxwell will no doubt bolster the power packed RCB batting which boasts of Indian captain Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers.

Maxwell’s compatriot Jhye Richardson too invited a huge price at the IPL 2021 mini auction. The lanky fast bowler was picked by Punjab Kings for 14 crore, making him the third most costliest cricketer

Other notable buys include Shakib Al Hasan and Moeen Ali, both of whom found new franchises in the IPL with the two all-rounders joining Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings respectively. Shakib, who least featured for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2019 before a year-long ban prevented him from taking part in the UAE edition last year, was purchased by the two-time IPL champions for ₹3.2 crore. He has represented KKR in the past, playing for the franchise for seven seasons between 2011 and 2017.

Ali, on the other hand, was one of the nine players released by Royal Challengers Bangalore, and was picked up for ₹7.2 crore by three-time winners CSK, who had competition from Punjab Kings for the services of the all-rounder, Ali, whose base price was ₹2 crore, saw the Kings and CSK go back and forth before the 2014 finalists finally pulled out.

Australian batsman Steve Smith was brought by Delhi Capitals for 2.2 crore who also added India pacer Umesh Yadav to their squad for a base price of 1 crore.

The world’s top T20 batsman, England’s Dawid Malan could not attract a high price as he was sold at the base price of 1.5 crore to Punjab Kings.