Chris Morris becomes most expensive IPL auction purchase ever

Morris, who has been a popular pick among IPL franchises in recent seasons, was eventually sold for 16.25crore (£1.6million) in the auction in Chennai on Thursday

Chris Morris became the most expensive purchase in the history of IPL auctions as Rajasthan Royals broke the bank to sign the South African allrounder.

Morris, who has been a popular pick among IPL franchises in recent seasons, was eventually sold for 16.25crore (£1.6million) in the auction in Chennai on Thursday.

The 33-year-old has a career average of 21 with the bat in T20 cricket, with a strike rate of 151. With the ball, he boasts and economy of 7.76 and an average of 22.09 across his 218 short-format appearances.

Morris has previously been on the books of Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings in the IPL.

His deal surpasses the previous record, held by Yuvraj Singh following the former India international's acquisition by Delhi Daredevils for 16crore in 2015.

Earlier in the auction, Glenn Maxwell had also broken into the top five most expensive purchases in IPL auctions after being picked up by Royal Challengers Bangalore for 14.25crore. He was edged into sixth later in the auction, when Kiwi seamer Kyle Jamieson was bought for 15crore by RCB.

MOST EXPENSIVE IPL AUCTION PURCHASES

Chris Morris - 16.25crore (Rajasthan Royals, 2021)

Yuvraj Singh - 16crore (Delhi Daredevils, 2015)

Pat Cummins - 15.5crore (Kolkata Knight Riders, 2020)

Kyle Jamieson - 15crore (Royal Challengers Bangalore, 2021)

Ben Stokes - 14.5crore (Rajasthan Royals - 2017)

Glenn Maxwell - 14.25crore (Royal Challengers Bangalore, 2021) 

Yuvraj Singh - 14crore (Royal Challengers Bangalore, 2014)

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