IPL Jeddah auction: Rishabh Pant crowned most expensive player in IPL history

JEDDAH: Breaking all erstwhile records, IPL team Lucknow Super Giants splashed 27 crores to rope in star batsman Rishabh Pant to their camp. With the move done, Pant became the most expensive player ever in IPL history. There were rumours about Pant heading towards Chennai this season, but surprisingly, the yellow team didn’t bid for the player during the auction. With K L Rahul departing from Lucknow, the doors will be opened for Pant to assume charge as the new captain.

Meanwhile, Yuzvendra Chahal became the most expensive spinner ever in IPL after PBKS picked him for Rs 18 crore. IPL-winning captain Shreyas Iyer has been picked up by Punjab Kings for Rs 26.75 crore.

Lucknow Super Giants engaged in bidding for Pant at his base price of Rs. two crores. The bidding soon reached 11.25 crore and it also paved the way for a strong battle between Royal challengers Bangalore and Lucknow. With no shortage of drama, Sunrisers Hyderabad also joined in the bidding turning up the heat in the Jeddah auction. Soon, Royal Challengers opted out and the fight turned out to be between Lucknow and Hyderabad. The bidding crossed the Rs 20crore mark by the time. When the bidding entered into Rs 20.75 crore, Delhi entered the fray and used its RTM card to retain Pant. But with Shreyas already heading to Punjab, it was a 'do or die' battle for Lucknow and they foiled Delhi’s plans by splashing a record Rs 27 crore.