IPL Auction 2021: Chris Morris becomes most expensive player in IPL history

Chennai: South Africa all-rounder Chris Morris has become the most expensive player in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Rajasthan Royals bought the services of the fast bowling all-rounder for a massive sum of Rs 16.25 crore at the IPL Auction 2021.

Like every previous edition, this year's Indian Premier League (IPL) auction has thrown up a host of surprises as well as inexplicably high bids for certain players. 

Australia's opening batsman Glenn Maxwell has been sold for Rs 14.25 crores. Glenn Maxwell's opening bid was set at Rs 2 crore. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) had shown an interest in taking him.

KKR was vying to take on CSK and RCB for Glenn Maxwell who was eventually bought by RCB.

Delhi Capitals has bought Australia captain Steven Smith for Rs 2.20 crores. The RCB had set an opening bid of Rs 2 crores for Steve Smith, but the Delhi Capitals decided to enter the bid and bought the batsman for Rs 2.20 crores. 

Eight IPL franchises are involved in the auction taking place in Chennai.

The auction list includes 164 Indian players. According to the latest reports, England's star spinner Moin Ali has been bought by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for Rs 7 crores. Moin's opening bid was Rs 2 crores. Kings XI Punjab and CSK were vying for him and eventually, CSK bought him for Rs  7 crores. 

Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals has bought Shivam Dubey for Rs 4.4 crore. Fast bowler Shivam Dubey's base price was 50 lakh rupees.

Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for Rs 32 crores. Aron Finch's opening bid has been kept at Rs 1 crore. For South Africa's Chris Morris, there was a tough competition between Mumbai Indians and RCB.