IPL 2018 Auction: Jaydev Unadkat becomes most expensive Indian player, Dale Steyn unsold

Day 2 has been fierce as the bidding war continues with each franchise trying to fill the gaps to build the best squad they can possibly make. But the second day has seen a fast bowler crowned as the most expensive Indian so far in the IPL 2018 season.  He has made rapid strides as a left-arm pacer and after a time-long bidding war, Rajasthan Royals claimed the bragging rights for the spearhead. 

The IPL 2018 auction has seen the two most expensive players in the Rajasthan Royals squad as the Steve Smith led brigade have added Jaydev Unadkat for a whopping 11.50 crore despite bringing in England all-rounder for 12.50 crore, the highest till now. 

Unadkat's starting bid started at 1.50 crore and it was Chennai Super Kings and Kings XI Punjab who locked horns for the Team India bowler. The Rising Pune Supergiant had brought him for 30 Lakhs last season. 

Chennai Super Kings backed out of the race for his signature once the bid reached 11 crore and it was almost certain that Kings XI Punjab would claim the speedster, but out of nowhere it was Rajasthan Royals who bid and won the race to bring in the spearhead into the Steve Smith led Rajasthan Royals. 

Unadkat's figures have been impressive and has played for Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi Daredevils, Rising Pune Supergiants and will now feature for Rajasthan Royals. The 26-year old has collected 56 wickets in the 47 matches he has played in the Indian Premier League. The left-arm fast medium pacer has represented Team India in 7 One Day Internationals where he has collected eight wickets and 4 T20I matches where he took four wickets.

Meanwhile, South Africa pace spearhead Dale Steyn, who was carrying a base price of Rs 1 crore, found no takers in today's auction. Steyn, who returned from injury to feature in the first Test between India and South Africa, was injured again during the match and was ruled out of the rest of the three-match series.

Steyn was out of action for one year after a major surgery for shoulder dislocation. He recently made a comeback in competitive cricket and Cricket South Africa (CSA) did not play during the four-day Test against Zimbabwe to preserve him for the India series.

Jaydev Unadkat Profile: 

Full Name - Jaydev Unadkat

Born -18-10-1991 

Current Age- 26 years old

Height- 6 feet 3 inches

Major Teams - Kolkata Knight Riders, India, Board Presidents XI, India Red, India A, Saurashtra, Royal Challengers Bangalore, West Zone, Delhi Daredevils, Rest of India, Rising Pune Supergiant, India Blue, Indian Board Presidents XI

Batting Style-  Right-handed Bat

Bowling Style- Left-arm fast-medium

Rajasthan Royals have retained Dhawal Kulkarni via RTM for 75 Lakhs as well. Kings XI Punjab retained Mohit Sharma for 2.40 crore.

Sandeep Sharma was bagged for 3 crore by Sunrisers Hyderabad where as Royal Challengers Bangalore brought in Mohammed Siraj for 2.60 crore. Surprisingly South African spearhead Dale Steyn was left unsold at the auction but might be taken into consideration later on.

Here's a list of players who were sold and unsold in the Capped fast bowlers category

Dhawal Kulkarni (Base Price Rs 50 Lakh) - Retained by Rajasthan Royals via RTM for Rs 75 Lakh

Mohit Sharma (Base Price Rs 1.50 Crore) - Retained by Kings XI Punjab via RTM Card for Rs 2.40 Crore

Sandeep Sharma (Base Price Rs 50 Lakh) - Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 3 crore

R Vinay Kumar (Base Price Rs 1 Crore) - Kolkata Knight Riders at Base Price

Mohammed Siraj (Base Price Rs 1 Crore) - Royal Challengers Bangalore for Rs 2.60 Crore

Nathan Coulter-Nile (Base Price Rs 1.50 Crore) - Royal Challengers Bangalore for Rs 2.20 Crore

Jaydev Unadkat (Base Price Rs 1.50 Crore) - Rajasthan Royals for Rs 11.50 Crore

Trent Boult (Base Price Rs 1.50 Crore) - Delhi Daredevils for Rs 2.20 Crore

Shardul Thakur (Base Price Rs 75 Lakh) - Chennai Super Kings for Rs 2.60 Crore

Dale Steyn (Base Price Rs 1 Crore) - Unsold