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The IPL auction is cricket's biggest stage, where fortunes turn with a paddle's movement. Franchises splash cash, but at times the real value comes in the most unexpected of transactions, the "steals." They are the pennies-paid players who went on to produce mammoth performances, winning seasons, rewriting franchise records.

 

From early purchases such as Shaun Marsh to contemporary gems such as Tim David and Priyansh Arya, these overspent stars demonstrated that greatness trumps the price tag. Let's travel back in time to the 10 best IPL auction steals ever by MI, DC, PBKS, RCB, and KKR.

 

10 Greatest IPL Auction Steals Ever by MI, DC, PBKS, RCB & KKR

 

Player	Year	Team	Amount (INR)
Shaun Marsh	2008	Kings XI Punjab (now PBKS)	12 lakh
Kieron Pollard	2010	Mumbai Indians	$750,000
Jasprit Bumrah	2014	Mumbai Indians	1.20 crore
Shreyas Iyer	2015	Delhi Daredevils (now DC)	2.6 crore
Hardik Pandya	2015	Mumbai Indians	10 lakh
Shubman Gill	2018	Kolkata Knight Riders	1.8 crore
Prabhsimran Singh	2022	Punjab Kings	60 lakh
Trent Boult	2020 (trade)	Mumbai Indians	3.2 crore
Tim David	2025	Royal Challengers Bangalore	3 crore
Priyansh Arya	2025	Punjab Kings	3.8 crore

 

10 Greatest IPL Auction Steals Ever by MI, DC, PBKS, RCB & KKR Detailed Analysis

 

Shaun Marsh (2008) – Punjab's First Game-Changer

 

Image Source : X.com

 

Bought for just ₹12 lakh in the inaugural auction, Shaun Marsh was the true definition of a steal. With consistent performances, elegant stroke play, and calm under pressure, he won the Orange Cap in IPL 2008. His form guided Punjab Kings (then KXIP) to their strongest early campaign and showcased how international experience could dominate even at a bargain price.

 

Also Read | CricketGully's Best XI of IPL 2025: Stars Who Ruled the Season

 

Kieron Pollard (2010) – Mumbai’s Powerhouse Performer

 

Image Source : BCCI

 

The Mumbai Indians won Pollard in a secret tie-breaker for $750,000, and it turned out to be one of the smartest moves in IPL history. Pollard’s all-round brilliance — big-hitting cameos, clutch wickets, and electric fielding — made him MI’s heartbeat for over a decade. His contributions helped Mumbai clinch multiple titles and cemented his legacy as one of the IPL’s most impactful players.

 

Jasprit Bumrah (2014) – The Yorker Specialist

 

Image Source : BCCI

 

When MI bought a young Jasprit Bumrah for ₹1.20 crore, few expected him to redefine death bowling. His unorthodox action, blistering yorkers, and consistency soon made him indispensable for both MI and India. A true auction masterstroke, Bumrah’s growth from an uncapped bowler to a global superstar remains one of IPL’s greatest success stories.

 

Shreyas Iyer (2015) – Delhi’s Reliable Rock

 

Image Source : BCCI

 

The Delhi Daredevils snapped up Shreyas Iyer for ₹2.6 crore, and it paid off handsomely. Iyer brought stability and aggression to Delhi’s batting and later evolved into a composed leader, guiding the franchise to its first-ever IPL final in 2020. His success story is proof that a well-timed investment in youth can yield long-term dividends.

 

Hardik Pandya (2015) – From Rookie to Champion

 

Image Source : BCCI

 

Mumbai Indians found Hardik Pandya for just ₹10 lakh, a move that defined the franchise's contemporary era. His attacking batting, rapid fielding, and consistent bowling converted him into a match-winner. Pandya not only led MI to a series of trophies but also guided Gujarat Titans to an IPL title in 2022. A bargain that became legend.

 

Also Read | Full List of Award Winners in IPL 2025

 

Shubman Gill (2018) – KKR's Youthful Vision

 

Image Source : Associated Press

 

For ₹1.8 crore, Shubman Gill was one of KKR's gemny buys. Cool, classy, and composed, Gill emerged as one of India's best young batters within a brief span. His progress vindicated KKR's gamble on long-term talent and that patience with excellence pays off. He is now one of India's greatest contemporary openers, a legacy of KKR's foresight.

 

Prabhsimran Singh (2022) – Punjab's Rising Star

 

Image Source : BCCI

 

Picked by Punjab Kings for ₹60 lakh in 2022, Prabhsimran Singh emerged as one of IPL 2025’s brightest stars. His aggressive yet balanced approach as a wicketkeeper-batter played a key role in taking PBKS to the finals in IPL 2025. The franchise’s trust in youth paid off brilliantly, as he became the nucleus of Punjab’s top order.

 

Trent Boult (2020) – Mumbai’s Match-Winning Trade

 

Image Source : BCCI

 

In one of the smartest trades ever, Mumbai Indians acquired Trent Boult from Delhi Capitals for ₹3.2 crore. The left-arm quick added world-class pace and swing to MI’s bowling attack. His early wickets in powerplays were pivotal in MI’s dominant 2020 title run, solidifying his reputation as one of the best T20 pacers.

 

Tim David (2025) – RCB’s Explosive Masterstroke

 

Image Source : BCCI

 

Tim David was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore for ₹3 crore in 2025, a deal which redefined their finisher skillset. Delivered convenient off-spin as well as game-turning late-order striking, he was RCB's missing link. His match-winning figures enabled RCB to lift the IPL 2025 title for the first time in their history, and this buy proved to be one of their wisest auction buys ever.

 

Also Read | Top 10 Youngest Players to Score a Century in IPL

 

Priyansh Arya (2025) – Punjab's Star of the Future

 

Image Source : BCCI

 

Punjab Kings battled RCB to recruit Priyansh Arya for ₹3.8 crore, a daredevil risk that yielded golden returns. The young batsman repaid their trust with 475 runs in IPL 2025, leading PBKS to the final. His daredevil batting and solidity established him as the season's biggest discovery, once again demonstrating that fortunes smile on the brave.

 

Conclusion

 

The IPL auction is a work of art, a combination of instinct, planning, and a dash of fortune. Some franchises chase headlines in the form of record-breaking bids, and some strike gold in the unnoticed players. From Shaun Marsh's Orange Cap heroics to Tim David's 2025 heroics, these steals demonstrate the way the right player at the right price can change the destiny of a team. For as there are new stars every year, the next such memorable "steal" at auction might be just a bid away.

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