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Top 36 Most Expensive IPL Auction Players (Salaries in US Dollars): Who are the Most Expensive IPL Auction Buys of All Time? (Updated 2024)

by | Dec 13, 2023 | Article Index, Finances & Cricket, IPL

Who are the most expensive IPL auction players of All-Time?

It is that time of the year again—Yep, you guessed it—The IPL Auction!

With the IPL 2024 Auction here, we bring to you the most expensive IPL auction players of all-time with a twist. Along with the auction prices, we also consider the dollar to rupee conversion at every IPL auction.

Key Takeaways – Most Expensive IPL Auction Players

  • Yuvraj Singh – 2015 ($2.56 Million), Gautam Gambhir – 2011 ($2.4 Million), Chris Morris – 2021 ($2.24 Million), Yuvraj Singh – 2014 ($2.24 Million), and Sam Curran – 2023 ($2.23 Million) are the most expensive IPL auction players of all-time.
  • In 2008, $1 = 39.25 INR. In 2023, $1 = 82.81 INR.
  • The Top 36 IPL auction buys ranged from $1.5 million (MS Dhoni, Mahela Jayawardene) to $2.56 Million (Yuvraj Singh). In Indian Rupees, the player salaries ranged from 5.88 Crore (MS Dhoni) to 18.5 Crore (Sam Curran).
  • Yuvraj Singh & Ben Stokes (3 times each) as well as Glenn Maxwell & Dinesh Karthik (twice each) feature on this list multiple times.
  • India (18), England (9), Australia (5), West Indies (1), New Zealand (1), South Africa (1), and Sri Lanka (1) make up the most expensive IPL players of all-time ($1.5 million or above).
  • The franchises that have spent the most money regularly in IPL auctions are: RCB (7), CSK, KKR, PBKS/KXIP (5), MI, DD (3), RR, SRH (2), and LSG, KTK, PWI, RPS (1).

Table of Contents

By the Numbers: Who are the Most Expensive IPL Auction Players?

PlayerIPL Auction Price US$ (INR)Team (Year)
Yuvraj Singh$2.56 Million (16 Crore)DD (2015)
Gautam Gambhir $2.4 Million (10.88 Crore)KKR (2011)
Chris Morris$2.24 Million (16.25 Crore)RR (2021)
Yuvraj Singh$2.24 Million (14 Crore)RCB (2014)
Sam Curran$2.23 Million (18.5 Crore)PBKS (2023)
Pat Cummins$2.18 Million (15.5 Crore)KKR (2020)
Ben Stokes$2.17 Million (14.5 Crore)RPS (2017)
Cameron Green$2.1 Million (17.5 Crore)MI (2023)
Yusuf Pathan$2.1 Million (9.5 Crore)KKR (2011)
Robin Uthappa$2.1 Million (9.5 Crore)KKR (2011)
Kyle Jamieson$2.07 Million (15 Crore)RCB (2021)
Ishan Kishan$2.02 Million (15.25 Crore)MI (2022)
Dinesh Karthik$2 Million (12.5 Crore)DD (2014)
Ravindra Jadeja$2 Million (9.72 Crore)CSK (2012)
Rohit Sharma$2 Million (9.07 Crore)MI (2011)
Ben Stokes$1.97 Million (12.5 Crore)RR (2018)
Ben Stokes$1.96 Million (16.25 Crore)CSK (2017)
Glenn Maxwell$1.96 Million (14.25 Crore)RCB (2021)
Nicholas Pooran$1.93 Million (16 Crore)LSG (2023)
Jhye Richardson$1.93 Million (14 Crore)PBKS (2021)
Irfan Pathan$1.9 Million (8.62 Crore)DD (2011)
Deepak Chahar$1.85 Million (14 Crore)CSK (2022)
Yuvraj Singh$1.8 Million (8.16 Crore)PWI (2011)
Tymal Mills$1.79 Million (12 Crore)RCB (2017)
Manish Pandey$1.73 Million (11 Crore)SRH (2018)
KL Rahul$1.73 Million (11 Crore)PBKS (2018)
Dinesh Karthik$1.69 Million (10.5 Crore)RCB (2015)
Shreyas Iyer$1.62 Million (12.25 Crore)KKR (2022)
Harry Brook$1.6 Million (13.25 Crore)SRH (2023)
Saurabh Tiwary$1.6 Million (7.26 Crore)RCB (2011)
Kevin Pietersen$1.55 Million (7.54 Crore)RCB (2009)
Andrew Flintoff$1.55 Million (7.54 Crore)CSK (2009)
Liam Livingstone$1.52 Million (11.5 Crore)PBKS (2022)
Glenn Maxwell$1.51 Million (10.75 Crore)KXIP (2020)
MS Dhoni$1.5 Million (5.88 Crore)CSK (2008)
Mahela Jayawardene$1.5 Million (6.8 Crore)KTK (2011)

Most Expensive IPL Players from Each Season (2008-2023)

IPL Auction (2008-2013)

Between 2008-2013, the IPL Auction happened in US dollars. The most expensive players in each of those early auction years were as follows:

  • IPL 2008: MS Dhoni ($1.5 Million), Andrew Symonds ($1.35 Million), Sanath Jayasuriya ($975,000)
  • IPL 2009: Kevin Pietersen ($1.55 Million), Andrew Flintoff ($1.55 Million), JP Duminy ($950,000)
  • IPL 2010: Shane Bond ($750,000), Kieron Pollard ($750,000), Wayne Parnell ($610,000)
  • IPL 2011: Gautam Gambhir ($2.4 Million), Yusuf Pathan ($2.1 Million), Robin Uthappa ($2.1 Million), Rohit Sharma ($2 Million), Irfan Pathan ($1.9 Million), Yuvraj Singh ($1.8 Million), Saurabh Tiwary ($1.6 Million), Mahela Jayawardene ($1.5 Million), David Hussey ($1.4 Million), Dale Steyn ($1.2 Million), Muttiah Muralitharan, Cameron White, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers ($1.1 Million), Ross Taylor ($1 Million)
  • IPL 2012: Ravindra Jadeja ($2 Million), Mahela Jayawardene ($1.4 Million), Vinay Kumar ($1 Million)
  • IPL 2013: Glenn Maxwell ($1 Million), Ajantha Mendis ($725,000), Kane Richardson ($700,000)

IPL Auction (2014-2023)

After 2013, the IPL Auction happened in Indian Rupee (INR). The most expensive players in this phase of the IPL auction was as follows:

  • IPL 2014: Yuvraj Singh (14 Crore INR), Dinesh Karthik (12.5 Crore INR), Kevin Pietersen (9 Crore INR)
  • IPL 2015: Yuvraj Singh (16 Crore INR), Dinesh Karthik (10.5 Crore INR), Angelo Mathews (7.5 Crore INR)
  • IPL 2016: Shane Watson (9.5 Crore INR), Yuvraj Singh (7 Crore INR), Chris Morris (7 Crore INR)
  • IPL 2017: Ben Stokes (14.5 Crore INR), Tymal Mills (12 Crore INR), Kagiso Rabada, Trent Boult (5 Crore INR)
  • IPL 2018: Ben Stokes (12.5 Crore INR), Manish Pandey (11 Crore INR), KL Rahul (11 Crore INR)
  • IPL 2019: Jaydev Unadkat (8.4 Crore INR), Varun Chakravarthy (8.4 Crore INR), Sam Curran (7.2 Crore INR)
  • IPL 2020: Pat Cummins (15.5 Crore INR), Glenn Maxwell (10.75 Crore INR), Chris Morris (10 Crore INR)
  • IPL 2021: Chris Morris (16.25 Crore INR), Kyle Jamieson (15 Crore INR), Glenn Maxwell (14.25 Crore INR), Jhye Richardson (14 Crore INR)
  • IPL 2022: Ishan Kishan (15.25 Crore INR), Deepak Chahar (14 Crore INR), Shreyas Iyer (12.25 Crore INR), Liam Livingstone (11.5 Crore INR), Harshal Patel, Wanindu Hasaranga, Nicholas Pooran, Shardul Thakur (10.75 Crore INR), Prasidh Krishna, Lockie Ferguson, Avesh Khan (10 Crore INR)
  • IPL 2023: Sam Curran (18.5 Crore INR), Cameron Green (17.5 Crore INR), Ben Stokes (16.25 Crore INR), Nicholas Pooran (16 Crore INR), Harry Brook (13.25 Crore INR)

USD to INR Conversion Rates (2008-2023)

It is important to consider the US$ to INR conversion year at the start of each year from 2008 to 2023.

We do this for two reasons: (1) The Indian economy has vastly changed in the last 15 years and the Rupee has taken a nosedive and (2) to compare IPL auction price across the different years.

Take for example, Ben Stokes.

  • In IPL 2017, he was sold for 14.5 Crore INR, when $1 = 66.91 INR.
  • A year later, his price was 12.5 Crore INR, when $1 = 63.6 INR.
  • Finally, in IPL 2023, Stokes was sold for 16.25 Crore INR, when $1 = 82.81 INR.

On the face of it, the 16.25 Crore INR looks like the ‘most expensive’ price Stokes was bought at. However, IPL 2017 was actually the better deal for Stokes.

IPL Auction Year1 US$ to INR Conversion (IPL Auction Date)
200839.25 INR (01/24/2008)
200948.63 INR (02/06/2009)
201045.76 INR (01/19/2010)
201145.35 INR (01/08/2011)
201248.60 INR (02/04/2012)
201353.16 INR (02/03/2013)
201462.43 INR (02/13/2014)
201562.11 INR (02/16/2015)
201667.80 INR (02/06/2016)
201766.91 INR (02/20/2017)
201863.60 INR (01/27/2018)
201970.62 INR (12/18/2018)
202071.18 INR (12/19/2019)
202172.59 INR (02/18/2021)
202275.65 INR (02/12/2022)
202382.81 INR (12/23/2022)

Top 20 Most Expensive IPL Auction Buys of All-Time

Some of these players were let go of their franchises frequently and fetched a high-price on multiple occasions. Also, this list does not include retentions, transfers, drafts, and any undisclosed fees. These are the most expensive IPL auction players as per the IPL auction only.

*Note: The Base Price is shown as the amount used during the auction. Hence, for IPL 2008-2013, it will be in US $, while it will be displayed as INR for IPL 2014 and later.

1. Yuvraj Singh – $2.56 Million (16 Crore INR)

  • Season: IPL 2015
  • IPL Team: Delhi Daredevils (DD)
  • Country: India
  • Base Price: 2 Crore INR
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2. Gautam Gambhir – $2.4 Million (10.88 Crore INR)

  • Season: IPL 2011
  • IPL Team: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
  • Country: India
  • Base Price: $200,000
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3. Chris Morris – $2.24 Million (16.25 Crore INR)

  • Season: Rajasthan Royals (RR)
  • IPL Team: IPL 2021
  • Country: South Africa
  • Base Price: 75 Lakhs INR
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4. Yuvraj Singh – $2.24 Million (14 Crore INR)

  • Season: IPL 2014
  • IPL Team: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
  • Country: India
  • Base Price: 2 Crore INR
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5. Sam Curran – $2.23 Million (18.50 Crore INR)

  • Season: IPL 2023
  • IPL Team: Punjab Kings (PBKS)
  • Country: England
  • Base Price: 2 Crore INR
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6. Pat Cummins – $2.18 Million (15.5 Crore INR)

  • Season: IPL 2020
  • IPL Team: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
  • Country: Australia
  • Base Price: 2 Crore INR
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7. Ben Stokes – $2.17 Million (14.5 Crore INR)

  • Season: IPL 2017
  • IPL Team: Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS)
  • Country: England
  • Base Price: 2 Crore INR
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8. Cameron Green – $2.1 Million (17.50 Crore INR)

  • Season: IPL 2023
  • IPL Team: Mumbai Indians (MI)
  • Country: Australia
  • Base Price: 2 Crore INR
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9. Yusuf Pathan – $2.1 Million (9.50 Crore INR)

  • Season: IPL 2011
  • IPL Team: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
  • Country: India
  • Base Price: $300,000
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10. Robin Uthappa – $2.1 Million (9.50 Crore INR)

  • Season: IPL 2011
  • IPL Team: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
  • Country: India
  • Base Price: $200,000
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11. Kyle Jamieson – $2.07 Million (15 Crore INR)

  • Season: IPL 2021
  • IPL Team: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
  • Country: New Zealand
  • Base Price: 75 Lakhs INR
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12. Ishan Kishan – $2.02 Million (15.25 Crore INR)

  • Season: IPL 2022
  • IPL Team: Mumbai Indians (MI)
  • Country: India
  • Base Price: 1.5 Crore INR
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13. Dinesh Karthik – $2 Million (12.5 Crore INR)

  • Season: IPL 2014
  • IPL Team: Delhi Daredevils (DD)
  • Country: India
  • Base Price: 2 Crore INR
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14. Ravindra Jadeja – $2 Million (9.07 Crore INR)

  • Season: IPL 2012
  • IPL Team: Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
  • Country: India
  • Base Price: $100,000
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15. Rohit Sharma – $2 Million (9.07 Crore INR)

  • Season: IPL 2011
  • IPL Team: Mumbai Indians (MI)
  • Country: India
  • Base Price: $200,000
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16. Ben Stokes – $1.97 Million (12.5 Crore INR)

  • Season: IPL 2018
  • IPL Team: Rajasthan Royals (RR)
  • Country: England
  • Base Price: 2 Crore INR
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17. Ben Stokes – $1.96 Million (16.25 Crore INR)

  • Season: IPL 2023
  • IPL Team: Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
  • Country: England
  • Base Price: 2 Crore INR
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18. Glenn Maxwell – $1.96 Million (14.25 Crore INR)

  • Season: IPL 2021
  • IPL Team: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
  • Country: Australia
  • Base Price: 2 Crore INR
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19. Nicholas Pooran – $1.93 Million (16 Crore INR)

  • Season: IPL 2023
  • IPL Team: Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
  • Country/Team: West Indies
  • Base Price: 2 Crore INR
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20. Jhye Richardson – $1.93 Million (14 Crore INR)

  • Season: IPL 2021
  • IPL Team: Punjab Kings (PBKS)
  • Country: Australia
  • Base Price: 1.5 Crore INR
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21. Irfan Pathan – $1.9 Million (8.62 Crore INR)

  • Season: IPL 2011
  • IPL Team: Delhi Daredevils
  • Country: India
  • Base Price: $200,000
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22. Deepak Chahar – $1.85 Million (14 Crore INR)

  • Season: IPL 2022
  • IPL Team: Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
  • Country: India
  • Base Price: 2 Crore INR
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23. Yuvraj Singh – $1.8 Million (8.16 Crore INR)

  • Season: IPL 2011
  • IPL Team: Pune Warriors India (PWI)
  • Country: India
  • Base Price: $400,000
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24. Tymal Mills – $1.79 Million (12 Crore INR)

  • Season: IPL 2017
  • IPL Team: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
  • Country: England
  • Base Price: 50 Lakhs INR
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25. Manish Pandey – $1.73 Million (11 Crore INR)

  • Season: IPL 2018
  • IPL Team: Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
  • Country: India
  • Base Price: 1 Crore INR
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26. KL Rahul – $1.73 Million (11 Crore INR)

  • Season: IPL 2018
  • IPL Team: Punjab Kings (PBKS)
  • Country: India
  • Base Price: 2 Crore INR
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27. Dinesh Karthik – $1.69 Million (10.5 Crore INR)

  • Season: IPL 2015
  • IPL Team: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
  • Country: India
  • Base Price: 2 Crore INR
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28. Shreyas Iyer – $1.62 Million (12.25 Crore INR)

  • Season: IPL 2022
  • IPL Team: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
  • Country: India
  • Base Price: 2 Crore INR
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29. Harry Brook – $1.6 Million (13.25 Crore INR)

  • Season: IPL 2023
  • IPL Team: Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
  • Country: England
  • Base Price: 1.5 Crore INR
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30. Saurabh Tiwary – $1.6 Million (7.26 Crore INR)

  • Season: IPL 2011
  • IPL Team: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
  • Country: India
  • Base Price: $100,000
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31. Kevin Pietersen – $1.55 Million (7.54 Crore INR)

  • Season: IPL 2009
  • IPL Team: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
  • Country: England
  • Base Price: $1.35 Million
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32. Andrew Flintoff – $1.55 Million (7.54 Crore INR)

  • Season: IPL 2009
  • IPL Team: Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
  • Country: England
  • Base Price: $950,000
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33. Liam Livingstone – $1.52 Million (11.5 Crore INR)

  • Season: IPL 2022
  • IPL Team: Punjab Kings (PBKS)
  • Country: England
  • Base Price: 1 Crore INR
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34. Glenn Maxwell – $1.51 Million (10.75 Crore INR)

  • Season: IPL 2020
  • IPL Team: Kings XI Punjab (KXIP)
  • Country: Australia
  • Base Price: 2 Crore INR
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35. MS Dhoni – $1.5 Million (5.88 Crore INR)

  • Season: IPL 2008
  • IPL Team: Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
  • Country: India
  • Base Price: $400,000
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36. Mahela Jayawardene – $1.5 Million (6.8 Crore INR)

  • Season: IPL 2011
  • IPL Team: Kochi Tuskers Kerela (KTK)
  • Country: Sri Lanka
  • Base Price: $400,000
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Final Thoughts

The Indian Premier League is known for its extravagant spending. The IPL auction has now become a yearly phenomenon on its own.

The top 36 most expensive IPL buys of all time includes some of the most iconic players in the world, such as Yuvraj Singh, Gautam Gambhir, and Sam Curran.

The money spent on these players shows that there is always going to be a high demand for talent in the IPL, and that it will continue to be one of the most exciting sporting events.

How high do you think IPL salaries can go? Will they match the NBA or NFL?

Source: Conversion Rate – Historical Data, Exchange Rates Data

Related Articles

If you liked this article on Most Expensive IPL Auction Players, consider checking the following articles on in Finances & Cricket:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Most Expensive IPL Auction Players

Who is the most expensive player in IPL auction history?

Yuvraj Singh – 2015 ($2.56 Million), Gautam Gambhir – 2011 ($2.4 Million), Chris Morris – 2021 ($2.24 Million), Yuvraj Singh – 2014 ($2.24 Million), and Sam Curran – 2023 ($2.23 Million) are the most expensive IPL auction players of all-time. Most Expensive IPL Auction Players: (From Left to Right) Chris Morris, MS Dhoni, Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, Sam Curran

Who is the highest paid cricketer in IPL history?

Yuvraj Singh in the IPL 2015 auction was the highest paid cricketer in IPL history (auction only) at 16 Crore INR ($2.56 Million). There were other players that may have been retained, transferred, etc. at a higher, undisclosed rate.

How much was $1 worth in Indian Rupee (INR) in 2008?

$1 was worth 39.25 INR in 2008 and has risen up to 83.3 INR in 2023.

© Copyright @Nitesh Mathur and Broken Cricket Dreams, LLC 2023. Originally published on 12/13/2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Broken Cricket Dreams with appropriate and specific direction to the original content (i.e. linked to the exact post/article).

Who won the Player of the Series in the 2019 Cricket World Cup? Complete List of Man of the Tournament in Cricket World Cups

by | Sep 30, 2023 | Article Index, ODI World Cup, Records

Who won the player of the series in the 2019 Cricket World Cup? It was none other than Kane Williamson!

Can you remember who are all the player of the tournament in Cricket World Cups?

Let us help you. Here is everything you need to know about the player of the tournament trophy.

Key Takeaways

  • The first player of the tournament in the Cricket World Cup (Men’s) was awarded in 1992.
  • Three batters, two bowlers, and three all-rounders have so far won this award in the eight instances so far.
  • New Zealand (2), India (2), and Australia (2) share the most player of the tournaments with South Africa & Sri Lanka winning it once each.
  • The player of the tournament had the following characters: 3 left handers, 4 right handers, and one ambidextrous (Lance Klusener – left hand bat, right hand bowl) .

World Cup Player of the Tournament – At a Glance

PlayerWorld CupWorld Cup Venue
Martin Crowe1992Australia, New Zealand
Sanath Jayasuriya1996India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan
Lance Klusener1999England, Wales
Sachin Tendulkar2003South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya
Glenn McGrath2007West Indies (Caribbean Islands)
Yuvraj Singh2011India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka
Mitchell Starc2015Australia, New Zealand
Kane Williamson2019England, Wales

*POTM – Player of the Match

List of All 8 Man of the Tournament in Cricket World Cups

1. Martin Crowe (New Zealand), 1992 Cricket World Cup

  • Matches: 9
  • Runs: 456
  • 100s/50s: 1/4
  • Not Outs: 5
  • Average/Strike Rate: 114.00/90.83
  • Catches: 3

Martin Crowe 1992 WC Matches

  1. 100*(134) vs Australia, 22 February 1992, Auckland, *POTM
  2. 5 (23) & 1 Catch vs Sri Lanka, 25 February 1992, Hamilton
  3. 3*(9) & 1 Catch vs South Africa, 29 February 1992, Auckland
  4. 74*(43) & 1 Catch vs Zimbabwe, 3 March 1992, Napier, *POTM
  5. 81*(81) vs West Indies, 8 March 1992, Auckland, *POTM
  6. 26 (28) vs India, 12 March 1992, Dunedin
  7. 73*(81) vs England, 15 March 1992, Wellington
  8. 3 (20) vs Pakistan, 18 March 1992, Christchurch
  9. 91 (83) vs Pakistan, 21 March 1992, Auckland

Impact

A dream run. A sad ending. Having pulled his hamstring, Crowe was run-out on 91. He watched on the sidelines as a new captain tried to defend a spirited Pakistan. 1992 was a World Cup of firsts. Colored clothing, new ODI strategies, South Africa’s re-entry, rain controversies, round-robin format.

Martin Crowe is fondly remembered by many due to his inspiring captaincy and runs across the board. An average of 114 at 90 strike in 1992 is spectacular!

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2. Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka), 1996 Cricket World Cup

  • Matches: 6
  • Runs: 221
  • 100s/50s: 0/2
  • Not Outs: 0
  • Average/Strike Rate: 36.83/131.54
  • Wickets: 7
  • Economy: 4.52
  • Catches: 5

Sanath Jayasuriya 1996 WC Matches

  1. 1/44, 6 (11), 1 Catch vs Zimbabwe, 21 February 1996, Colombo (SSC)
  2. 0/52, 79 (76) vs India, 2 March 1996, Delhi, *POTM
  3. 0/34, 44 (27) vs Kenya, 6 March 1996, Kandy
  4. 2/46, 82 (44) vs England, 9 March 1996, Faisalabad, *POTM
  5. 3/12, 1 (3), 2 Catches vs India, 13 March 1996, Eden Gardens (Kolkata)
  6. 1/43, 9 (7), 2 Catches vs Australia, 17 March 1996, Lahore

Impact

Revolutionized ODI cricket in the Powerplay. Sanath Jayasuriya (with Romesh Kaluwitharana) gave birth to a new brand of aggressive cricket. Chipped in with wickets and catches as well for a complete all-round show.

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3. Lance Klusener (South Africa), 1999 Cricket World Cup

  • Matches: 9 (8 Innings)
  • Runs: 281
  • 100s/50s: 0/2
  • Not Outs: 6
  • Average/Strike Rate: 140.50/122.17
  • Wickets: 17
  • Economy: 4.61
  • Catches: 1

Lance Klusener 1996 WC Matches

  1. 12*(4), 3/66 vs India, 15 May 1999, Hove
  2. 52*(45), 3/21 vs Sri Lanka, 19 May 1999, Northampton, *POTM
  3. 48*(40), 1/16 vs England, 22 May 1999, The Oval (London), *POTM
  4. Did Not Bat, 5/21, 1 Catch vs Kenya, 26 May 1999, Amstelveen, *POTM
  5. 52*(58), 1/36 vs Zimbabwe, 29 May 1999, Chelmsford
  6. 46*(41), 1/41 vs Pakistan, 5 June 1999, Nottingham, *POTM
  7. 4 (5), 2/46 vs New Zealand, 10 June 1999, Birmingham
  8. 36 (21), 1/53 vs Australia, 13 June 1999, Leeds
  9. 31*(16), 0/50 vs Australia, 17 June 1999, Birmingham

Impact

Perhaps the greatest player of the tournament performance of All-Time. Runs at an insane strike, finishing games left and right, and 17 wickets to top it off. People will remember that run-out in the semi-final that crushed South African cricket for a generation, but should also remember him as a pioneer of lower-order hitting/finishing in ODI cricket.

Also Read: 17 South Africa World Cup Chokes and Heartbreaks: The Complete List (Men’s & Women’s Combined)

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4. Sachin Tendulkar (India), 2003 Cricket World Cup

  • Matches: 11
  • Runs: 673
  • 100s/50s: 1/6
  • Not Outs: 0
  • Average/Strike Rate: 61.18/89/25
  • Wickets: 2
  • Economy: 4.27
  • Catches: 4

Sachin Tendulkar 2003 WC Matches

  1. 52 (72), 0/9 vs Netherlands, 12 February 2003, Paarl
  2. 36 (59) vs Australia, 15 February 2003, Centurion
  3. 81 (91) vs Zimbabwe, 19 February 2003, Harare, *POTM
  4. 152 (151) vs Namibia, 23 February 2003, Pietermaritzburg, *POTM
  5. 50 (52), 1 Catch vs England, 26 February 2003, Durban
  6. 98 (75) vs Pakistan, 1 March 2003, Centurion, *POTM
  7. 5 (12), 1 Catch vs Kenya, 7 March 2003, Cape Town
  8. 97 (120), 1 Catch vs Sri Lanka, 10 March 2003, Johannesburg
  9. 15 (16), 0/20, 1 Catch vs New Zealand, 14 March 2003, Centurion
  10. 83 (101), 2/28 vs Kenya, 20 March 2003, Durban
  11. 4 (5), 0/20 vs Australia, 23 March 2003, Johannesburg

Impact

If Klusener was the greatest all-round performance, Tendulkar gets the best batting show award. Except for the match again Kenya, New Zealand, and the final, Tendulkar had eight innings of note. The 98 (75) vs Pakistan will go in folklore as one of the greatest innings of all-time in limited overs cricket.

Also Read: Sachin Tendulkar Centuries (The Definitive Guide): Everything You Need To Know About Sachin Tendulkar’s Hundred 100s

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5. Glenn McGrath (Australia), 2007 Cricket World Cup

  • Matches: 11
  • Wickets: 26
  • (Bowling) Average/Strike Rate: 13.73/18.6
  • 4/5 fer: 0/0
  • Economy: 4.41
  • Catches: 1

Glenn McGrath 2007 WC Matches

  1. 3/14 vs Scotland, 14 March 2007, Basseterre
  2. 2/33 vs Netherlands, 18 March 2007, Basseterre
  3. 1/62 vs South Africa, 24 March 2007, Basseterre
  4. 3/31 vs West Indies, 27 March 2007, North Sound
  5. 3/16 vs Bangladesh, 31 March 2007, North Sound, *POTM
  6. 3/62 vs England, 8 April 2007, North Sound
  7. 3/17 vs Ireland, 13 April 2007, Bridgetown
  8. 2/48 vs Sri Lanka, 16 April 2007, St. George’s
  9. 2/25,1 Catch vs New Zealand, 20 April 2007, St. George’s
  10. 3/18 vs South Africa, 25 April 2017, Gros Islet, *POTM
  11. 1/31 vs Sri Lanka, 28 April 2007, Bridgetown

Impact

Even though McGrath did not take a single 4-fer in this World Cup and was (only) player of the match twice, he was at his consistent best. Took at least a wicket in every match, 2 wickets thrice, and 3-wickets on six occasions. His spell in the semi-final broke South African hearts yet again.

Also Read: Most Wickets in a Single ODI World Cup

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6. Yuvraj Singh (India), 2011 Cricket World Cup

  • Matches: 9 (8 Innings)
  • Runs: 362
  • 100s/50s: 1/4
  • Not Outs: 4
  • Average/Strike Rate: 90.50/86.19
  • Wickets: 15
  • Economy: 5.02
  • Catches: 3

Yuvraj Singh 2011 WC Matches

  1. 0/42, Did not bat, 1 Catch vs Bangladesh, 19 February 2011, Mirpur
  2. 58 (50), 0/46 vs England, 27 February 2011, Bengaluru
  3. 50* (75), 5/31, 1 Catch vs Ireland, 6 March 2011, Bengaluru, *POTM
  4. 51* (73), 2/43 vs Netherlands, 9 March 2011, Delhi, *POTM
  5. 12 (9), 0/47 vs South Africa, 12 March 2011, Nagpur
  6. 113 (123), 2/18 vs West Indies, 20 March 2011, Chennai, *POTM
  7. 57* (65), 2/44 vs Australia, 24 March 2011, Ahmedabad, *POTM
  8. 0 (1), 2/57, 1 Catch vs Pakistan, 30 March 2011, Mohali
  9. 21* (24), 2/49 vs Sri Lanka, 2 April 2011, Wankhede

Impact

Australia were so dominant for 15 years, they needed a maverick to knock them out of the quarter-finals. Yuvraj did it with clutch performance of 57*(65). Battling cancer behind the scenes, Yuvraj Singh went from good to legendary status in a space of 9 games.

It is only after Yuvraj was left out of the team, that we see what a gem he was to Indian cricket. As all-rounder in the Top 5. Yuvraj-Raina provided India with the balance they needed and with Dhoni, formed one of the greatest middle orders.

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7. Mitchell Starc (Australia), 2015 Cricket World Cup

  • Matches: 8
  • Wickets: 22
  • (Bowling) Average/Strike Rate: 10.18/17.4
  • 4/5 fer: 1/1
  • Economy: 3.5
  • Catches: 5 Catches

Mitchell Starc 2015 WC Matches

  1. 2/47, 1 Catch vs England, 14 February 2015, Melbourne
  2. 6/28, 1 Catch vs New Zealand, 28 February 2015, Auckland
  3. 2/18 vs Afghanistan, 4 March 2015, Perth
  4. 2/29 vs Sri Lanka, 8 March 2015, Sydney
  5. 4/14, 1 Catch vs Scotland, 14 March 2015, Hobart, *POTM
  6. 2/40, 1 Catch vs Pakistan, 20 March 2015, Adelaide
  7. 2/28 vs India, 26 March 2015, Sydney
  8. 2/20, 1 Catch vs New Zealand, 29 March 2015, Melbourne

Impact

If McGrath has been the most consistent World Cup bowler, Starc has definitely been the most destructive (10.18 average, 17.4 SR, 3.5 economy – geez those numbers are out of the world!). The Australia vs New Zealand match at Eden Park and the first over to Brendon McCullum in the Final encapsulates Mitchell Starc’s career. Fast, inswinging yorkers that can change the momentum in space of a few balls.

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8. Kane Williamson (New Zealand), 2019 Cricket World Cup

  • Matches: 10 (9 Innings)
  • Runs: 578
  • 100s/50s: 2/2
  • Not Outs: 2
  • Average/Strike Rate: 82.57/74.96
  • Catches: 6

Kane Williamson 2019 WC Matches

  1. Did Not Bat vs Sri Lanka, 1 June 2019, Cardiff
  2. 40 (72), 1 Catch vs Bangladesh, 5 June 2019, The Oval (London)
  3. 79*(99) vs Afghanistan, 8 June 2019, Taunton
  4. 106*(138), 1 Catch vs South Africa, 19 June 2019, Birmingham, *POTM
  5. 148 (154) vs West Indies, 22 June 2019, Manchester, *POTM
  6. 41 (69), 1/39 vs Pakistan, 26 June 2019, Birmingham
  7. 40 (51), 1/25 vs Australia, 29 June 2019, Lord’s
  8. 27 (40), 2 Catches vs England, 3 July 2019, Chester-le-Street
  9. 67 (95), 2 Catches vs India, 9 July 2019, Manchester
  10. 30 (53) vs England, 14 July 2019, Lord’s

Impact

In the prime of his life, Williamson’s 2019 was marked by pure batsmanship and character. Keeping cool in the final and couple of centuries highlighted his campaign. My favorite was the 106((138) against South Africa on a tough pitch, taking NZ from 80/4 to 245/6. He timed the chase with that late cate and slog sweep in the last two overs to perfection.

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Final Thoughts

Whether it is the all-round show of Jayasuriya, Klusener, Yuvraj, the pure batting class of Williamson, Crowe, Tendulkar, or the bowling genius of Australians, McGrath & Starc, it has been just great to watch.

And even though from 1975-1987, we did not have player of the tournament awards, there were still many memorable performances from that era by Kapil Dev Glenn Turner, Vivian Richards, David Boon, and many more!

Which player will capture the hearts and imagination of cricket fans in 2023?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Man of the Tournament in Cricket World Cups

Who won the player of the tournament in the 2019 Cricket World Cup?

Kane Williamson won the player of the tournament award in the 2019 Cricket World Cup.Man of the Tournament in Cricket World Cups List: (Pictured Top from left to right) Martin Crowe, Sanath Jayasuriya, Lance Klusener, Sachin Tendulkar (Pictured bottom from left to right) Glenn McGrath, Yuvraj Singh, Mitchell Starc, Kane Williamson

When was the first man of the tournament given in Cricket World Cups?

The first man of the tournament trophy was awarded to Martin Crowe in the 1992 Cricket World Cup.Portrait photo of Martin Crowe, the man of the tournament in 1992

Which Indian cricketers have won the player of the series award in Cricket World Cups?

Sachin Tendulkar (2003) & Yuvraj Singh (2011) are the only two Indians to win the player of the tournament trophies in the ODI Cricket World Cup.

Other 2023 Cricket World Cup Content

If you liked reading facts about the World Cup, consider checking these articles out:

© Copyright @Nitesh Mathur and Broken Cricket Dreams, LLC 2023. Originally published on 09/29/2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Broken Cricket Dreams with appropriate and specific direction to the original content (i.e. linked to the exact post/article).

What If Flintoff Kept His Cool to Yuvraj Singh?

by | Aug 1, 2020 | India, Just Imagine, Satire

Today’s Scenario: Freddie Flintoff Keeps His Cool To Yuvraj Singh

Match:

England vs India, 19th September 2007, Durban, South Africa – Super 8s (2007 T20 World Cup)

Background:

After crashing out of the 2007 ODI World Cup, India had sent a young team to South Africa under MS Dhoni. Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sourav Ganguly had opted out with India experimenting with a younger team. New Zealand and South Africa were sitting comfortably in the Super 8 group, England were already out, and India needed to win to stay alive.

The Moment:

Andrew Flintoff exchanged a few words with Yuvraj Singh prior to the 18th over, when Yuvraj was still playing on 14 runs. India – 171/3.

What Actually Happened:

Enter the young lad, Stuart Broad. Next, we witnessed history. With the adrenaline rush, Yuvraj hits 6,6,6,6,6, and 6. Smashes it to all parts of the ground, with Ravi Shashtri’s iconic commentary in the background. Yuvraj scores the fastest T20 half century in 12 balls, and India end up with 218/4. England come close with 200/6. Yuvraj carries the form in the semi-finals a couple of matches later and destroys Australia with 70 (30). As an underdog team, India are crowned the world champions in the inaugural T20 World Cup.

Just Imagine:

If Andrew Flintoff had kept his cool and not said anything to Yuvraj Singh, what would have happened?

18.1 – Stuart Broad to Yuvraj Singh, hits it in the air and gets caught at long off.

The Consequence:

India scratch their way up to 185/5. England chase comfortably. India crashes out of the 2007 T20 World Cup. Australia win yet another world cup in the decade, this time the T20 World Cup.

The proposed Indian Premier League (IPL) is discarded. Stuart Broad becomes a star and goes on to take 500 wickets in limited overs cricket. Andrew Flintoff captains England to the the 2010 T20 World Cup win. This starts a new cricket revolution in England which attracts the best players from all over the world—The Hundred. Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni are dropped post-2007, never to make a comeback. Without a spinning all-rounder, a world-class finisher, or a Captain Cool in their side, India fails to win the 2011 Cricket World Cup at home.

…

Ominous, isn’t it?

Well, these are just my thoughts on the importance of that moment.

As mathematician Edward Lorenz implied in his remarkable work that is now known as the “Butterfly Effect,”— even a flap of a butterfly’s wings can cause a tornado in another part of the world. Every single action, no matter how big or small, may have an immense impact down the road.

But anyway, what do you think would have happened had this match turned out differently?

Send us some moments you would like us to imagine, and as always, please subscribe, write in comments below and share!

Check out our next article in the Just Imagine series regarding Carlos Brathwaite in the 2019 Cricket World Cup.

YouTube Link:

Inspired By Conversations with Vandit and ESPNCricinfo’s Alternative Universe Series.

Image Courtesy of Aavtar Singh, CC via creative commons license, some rights reserved.