Top 3 biggest steal deals under INR 1 crore in IPL Auction history
Every IPL season, teams take big risks at the auction. Sometimes they spend huge amounts on proven stars, and other times they place small bets on young, unknown players. Many youngsters begin their IPL journey on modest contracts, often for less than a crore. But with time, some of them grow into key players who play a major part in their team’s success.
These early picks often turn into match-winners and fan favourites, even becoming the face of their franchise. Some go on to earn massive deals in later seasons, while others make it to the national team thanks to their steady and impressive performances in the IPL.
Rinku Singh is one of the best bargain signings in IPL history. Kolkata Knight Riders picked him in 2018 for just INR 80 lakh, and since then, he has become one of their most important players and a fan favourite. After years of hard work, Rinku finally had his big moment in IPL 2023. He ended the season as KKR’s top run-scorer and produced one of the most memorable moments in IPL history by hitting five sixes in a row to win a match against Gujarat Titans. His performances also helped him earn a spot in India’s T20I team, where he continues to do well as a finisher. Before the IPL 2026 auction, KKR showed their faith in him again by keeping him in the squad.
Hardik Pandya, the stylish Indian all-rounder, started his IPL career after being bought for just INR 10 lakh in 2015. Mumbai Indians spotted him as a raw talent, and he quickly caught everyone’s eye with a 31-ball 61 against KKR in his debut season. Over the next seven years with MI, Hardik grew into a key match-winner, earning bigger contracts and becoming a regular member of the Indian team. In 2022, he left for the Gujarat Titans, where he guided the new franchise to a title and a runner-up finish. Now back in Mumbai and leading the team, Hardik stands as one of the finest seam-bowling all-rounders, a rarity in Indian cricket. The 32-year-old will once again be seen leading the Mumbai franchise in the IPL 2026 and will hope to end their trophy drought.
One of the biggest bargains in IPL's impressive catalogue of signings belongs to Dwayne Bravo, the legendary West Indian all-rounder. Chennai Super Kings acquired Bravo at the price of only INR 92 lakh during the IPL 2011 auction after he transferred from Mumbai Indians to Chennai Super Kings. What may have seemed to be a minor acquisition rapidly transformed into a major success story because of the manner in which Bravo emerged as an exceptional all-rounder throughout the IPL and on a global scale in T20 format as well.
Bravo grew into an essential member of Chennai Super Kings' bowling attack through the years and eventually rose to become the franchise's leading wicket-taker. His skills as a hard hitting lower-order batsman combined with his vibrant personality made him a household name among Chennai Super Kings supporters. Bravo played a major role in all of Chennai Super Kings' three title wins during his ten years with the franchise and was awarded the Purple Cap as the leading wicket-taker on two occasions, in 2013 and in 2015.
