Published By: Sayan Guha

IPL Flashback: When KKR's Crazy Strategy Forced RCB to Spend Extra Four Crores, Leaving the RCB Management Irked

From a last-second bid to a Rs 4-crore shocker, relive the gripping auction battle

There’s something irresistibly exciting about IPL auctions. When the gavel falls, fortunes change in a matter of seconds. However, the 2014 IPL super auction was about more than just money; it was about drama, plans, and a moment that astonished everyone. Enter Yuvraj Singh, a talent whose name had already generated hype, resulting in one of the most contentious bidding wars in IPL history.

Consider the following scenario: Yuvraj, the 2011 World Cup hero who is well-known in cricket circles, is targeted. Teams prepare with chequebooks, plans, and a touch of daring. The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) had a skirmish that resulted in a Rs 4-crore loss for RCB.

The moment that stopped the auction

It appeared to be finished. RCB bid Rs 10 crore for Yuvraj. Richard Madley, the auctioneer, was about to strike the table and declare Yuvraj sold. Punjab Kings (later Kings XI Punjab) had left, and the place was quiet. Victory for the RCB? Not exactly.

In a dramatic twist, KKR jumped in, claiming to have made an offer just before Madley closed the sale. Chaos erupted. Rules were disputed. However, per auction rules, the auctioneer’s discretion took precedence, and KKR’s offer was accepted. RCB grudgingly agreed to pay an additional Rs 4 crore for the all-rounder when the price increased to Rs 14 crore.

RCB’s anger: A protest in the making

To say RCB was upset would be an understatement. Vijay Mallya, the team’s then-owner, expressed his dissatisfaction unequivocally.

The emotional commitment added to the pain of this debate. Virat Kohli, the captain of RCB, has made it clear that he wanted Yuvraj to join the squad. Spending Rs 14 crore, a record price at the time, demonstrated their commitment to secure him.

Yuvi celebrating a wicket in RCB colours with Virat Kohli // Picture Courtesy -- @iamadithya14

Yuvraj Singh: A star with many jerseys

Yuvraj Singh’s IPL career was as colourful as his performances on the pitch. He was no stranger to the unpredictable nature of IPL auctions, having worn shirts for six distinct franchises. During his one season with RCB, he scored 376 runs in 14 matches and took five wickets, a fair result but perhaps not worth Rs 14 crore.

RCB released him before the 2015 auction, where the lunacy persisted. Yuvraj received an even greater price of Rs 16 crore from Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals). High bids and short spells marked Yuvraj’s career as he went from Delhi to Sunrisers Hyderabad, back to Punjab, and lastly to the Mumbai Indians before retiring after the 2019 season.

KKR’s strategy: Genius or mischief?

Looking back, KKR’s late bid was more than a strategy; it was a masterstroke derailing RCB’s ambitions. Whether deliberate or not, it drove their competitors to overspend, leaving them with a smaller purse for the remainder of the auction. The move also illustrated how auctions are more than simply statistics; they often involve psychological fights.

Was KKR actually interested in Yuvraj, or was it an attempt to stretch RCB’s budget? We’ll never know, but it’s reasonable to assume they influenced him without spending a single rupee on him.

As we approach the IPL 2025 auction in Jeddah, the question remains: will we see another Rs 14-crore moment? Will franchisees push the envelope or use gimmicks to upset their rivals? If history is any guide, the next auction will feature more pyrotechnics than ever.