3 Costliest Buys For CSK In IPL Auction History

Akshita Patel

Top 3 Costliest Buys For CSK In IPL Auction History [Source: @ImTanujSingh/X.com]Top 3 Costliest Buys For CSK In IPL Auction History [Source: @ImTanujSingh/X.com]

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is rated as one of the most successful franchises in IPL history, with as many as 5 titles in the kitty, which is the joint record for most title wins alongside Mumbai Indians.

Over the years, CSK have made some strange acquisitions in the IPL auction, which initially was doubted by many, but they ended up being match winners for the franchise. MS Dhoni was one such example as CSK discovered his potential early in 2008, and he led the team to 5 titles. Meanwhile, ahead of another groundbreaking IPL 2025 mega auction, here’s a look at 3 costliest buys in CSK’s auction history.

3. Ravindra Jadeja: INR 9.72 crore (2012)

3. Ravindra Jadeja: INR 9.72 crore (2012) [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X.com]3. Ravindra Jadeja: INR 9.72 crore (2012) [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X.com]

Back in 2012, Ravindra Jadeja became the costliest pick of the IPL 2012 auction when Chennai Super Kings (CSK) bought him for $2 million. The intense bidding war between CSK and Deccan Chargers for the young all-rounder reached the max limit of $2 million. Then, the auctioneer asked both teams to submit a secret bid. 

CSK outplayed Deccan to buy Jadeja for approximately INR 9.72 crores, which was a staggering amount a decade ago. Jadeja ended up being a steal for CSK as his match-winning knocks played a catalyst in CSK’s successful title-winning campaigns. He even replaced MS Dhoni as captain in IPL 2022, but the move backfired as Dhoni had to regain control after repeated losses. 

2. Deepak Chahar, Daryl Mitchell: INR 14 crore (2022, 2024)

2. Deepak Chahar, Daryl Mitchell: INR 14 crore (2022, 2024) [Source: @CSKFansOfficial,@HustlerCSK/X.com]2. Deepak Chahar, Daryl Mitchell: INR 14 crore (2022, 2024) [Source: @CSKFansOfficial,@HustlerCSK/X.com]

Deepak Chahar and Daryl Mitchell jointly hold the record of CSK’s second most costliest auction pick. Chahar bagged INR 14 crore from CSK in IPL 2022 auction, thus becoming the then most expensive Indian fast bowler. He was groomed by Dhoni and he later played a key role in CSK’s title victory in IPL 2023. In 9 innings. Chahar picked 13 wickets with 19.69 average and earned the trust of the franchise.

Meanwhile, New Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell also fetched INR 14 crores from CSK in IPL 2024 auction. DC and PBKS ignited a lengthy bidding war before CSK jumped in the middle to outbid PBKS. He was fairly successful in the yellow jersey, scoring 318 runs in 13 innings at a strike rate of 142.60. However, Mitchell was released ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction as CSK prioritise he future. 

1. Ben Stokes: INR 16.5 crore (2023)

1. Ben Stokes: INR 16.5 crore (2023) [Source: @HustlerCSK/X.com]1. Ben Stokes: INR 16.5 crore (2023) [Source: @HustlerCSK/X.com]

England Test captain and prolific all-rounder Ben Stokes was one of the headlines of the IPL 2023 mega auction. In a tense bidding war, SRH, LSG, and RR initially went in for Stokes and raised his bid to INR 10 crore. 

However, CSK entered late into the battlefield and went all in to buy Stokes for a staggering amount of INR 16.5 crore, thus making him the costliest buy in CSK’s auction history. However, the investment didn’t yield any results as Stokes was ruled out after just 2 games with injury and later made himself unavailable for IPL 2024, forcing CSK to eventually part ways.