Every season, IPL franchises take major risks, sometimes overspending while at times investing in raw talent for a marginally lower price. Over the years, several young players have started their IPL career on decent contracts, earning less than a crore, yet went on to play a crucial role in their side’s success over the years.
These picks eventually became match-winners, household names, and even the faces of the franchises. Some secure massive contracts in later seasons, while others broke into the national team on the back of consistent performances in the marquee 20-over franchise tournament.
Here are 3 biggest steals under INR 1 crore in IPL Auction history
Rinku Singh
Star Indian batter Rinku Singh is one of the biggest steals under INR 1 crore in IPL history. Picked by Kolkata Knight Riders for just INR 80 lakh in 2018, the young left-hander has since gone on to become the face of the franchise and one of the league’s most reliable finishers.
After years of grooming, Rinku had his breakthrough moment in IPL 2023, finishing as KKR’s highest run-scorer and creating one of the league’s most iconic moments by smashing five consecutive sixes to steal a win out of Gujarat Titans’ mouth. His brilliance earned him a place in India’s T20I setup, where he continues to thrive as a lower-order match-winner. Ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, the Kolkata-based franchise has once again shown its trust in Rinku by retaining him.
Dwayne Bravo
Legendary West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo’s selection by Chennai Super Kings for INR 92 lakh at the IPL 2011 auction is another name on the greatest steals under INR 1 crore in league history. Bravo’s move from the Mumbai Indians to CSK changed his T20 career. What looked like a budget signing soon turned into an act of genius as he turned into one of the best all-rounders in the IPL and global T20 cricket.
Over the years, he became the main member of CSK’s bowling unit, eventually finishing as the franchise’s highest wicket-taker. His lower-order runs and personality made him one of the franchise’s most recognizable faces. In 10 seasons with Chennai, he has played a huge role in their three title-winning seasons and won the Purple Cap on two occasions (2013 and 2015).
Hardik Pandya
Stylish Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya began his career after being picked for just INR 10 lakh in the 2015 IPL auction, and now he is one of the biggest names in the game. Spotted by the Mumbai Indians as a raw talent, Hardik grabbed attention with his 31-ball 61 against KKR in his debut season. Over the next seven years with MI, he turned into a match-winner, ultimately leading him to a bigger contract and a regular member of the national 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.
