The Indian Premier League isn’t just a cricket tournament — it’s a grand theatre of dreams, where fortunes can change in a single over and unknown names can steal the limelight from global icons. Every year, franchises pour millions into acquiring the biggest superstars, hoping their heavy investment will buy them glory. But cricket, especially T20 cricket, doesn’t always follow logic or money.
Over the years, the IPL has gifted us some of its most unforgettable moments not from the ones with the fattest paychecks, but from the players bought at base price or overlooked in auctions. These underdogs have entered the arena with little to no expectations — and walked away with the scalps of million-dollar giants. Whether it’s a rookie pacer rattling a seasoned opener or a little-known batsman dismantling a world-class bowler, these moments are proof that heart, hunger, and hustle can often outweigh fame, form, and fortune.
In this article, we rewind the clock and celebrate the top 5 low-paid players who didn’t just make a mark — they made millionaires look ordinary, etching their names into IPL folklore.
5. Sarfaraz Khan (RCB, ₹10 Lakhs) vs Bhuvneshwar Kumar (SRH, ₹8.5 Cr) – IPL 2016
Match: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
Highlight: 35* off 10 balls
Back in 2016, Sarfaraz Khan was just 18 years old and one of the cheapest uncapped players. Facing an experienced SRH bowling lineup, he launched an all-out attack, especially targeting Bhuvneshwar Kumar. His 35 off 10 balls*, laced with innovative shots, turned heads. It wasn’t just about power — it was audacity and flair outclassing a veteran worth crores.
4. Yashasvi Jaiswal (RR, ₹2.4 Cr) vs Ravindra Jadeja (CSK, ₹16 Cr) – IPL 2023
Match: Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings
Highlight: 50 in 13 balls, dominated Jadeja
In IPL 2023, Jaiswal scored the fastest IPL fifty (13 balls), treating experienced bowlers like Ravindra Jadeja with disdain. Though Jaiswal had crossed the ₹2 Cr mark, he was still far from the millionaire club. His fearless batting against one of India’s top all-rounders was a reminder of how talent often trumps experience and paycheck.
3. Mohsin Khan (LSG, ₹20 Lakhs) vs David Warner (DC, ₹6.25 Cr) – IPL 2022
Match: Lucknow Super Giants vs Delhi Capitals
Highlight: Dismissed Warner for 3
One of IPL 2022’s breakout stars, Mohsin Khan—a rookie left-arm pacer bought at the base price—made headlines when he dismissed David Warner, one of IPL’s most consistent and expensive performers. With raw pace and pinpoint accuracy, Mohsin proved that you don’t need a million-dollar contract to deliver a million-dollar ball.
2. Varun Chakravarthy (KKR, ₹4 Cr) vs MS Dhoni (CSK, ₹15 Cr) – IPL 2020
Match: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Chennai Super Kings
Highlight: Clean bowled MS Dhoni
In a season where CSK’s batting unit was under the spotlight, Varun Chakravarthy—a mystery spinner who cost far less than the big guns—clean bowled Dhoni with a beauty that spun sharply and breached his defence. Chakravarthy finished with figures of 1/28, showing that brains and guile can outmatch brute strength and big reputations.
1. Rahul Tewatia (RR, ₹3 Cr) vs Sheldon Cottrell (KXIP, ₹8.5 Cr) – IPL 2020
Match: Rajasthan Royals vs Kings XI Punjab
Highlight: 5 sixes in one over
Rahul Tewatia was struggling at one point, scoring 8 off 19 balls. But in a dramatic turnaround, he smashed 5 sixes off Sheldon Cottrell’s 18th over, flipping the match on its head. Cottrell, one of Punjab’s most expensive overseas signings, looked helpless as Tewatia, a utility all-rounder, produced one of the most iconic finishes in IPL history.
Stats Table
| # | Player | Team & Price | Opposition Player (Price) | Match Highlight | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rahul Tewatia | RR – ₹3 Cr | Sheldon Cottrell (KXIP – ₹8.5 Cr) | Hit 5 sixes in 1 over, turned the match around | 2020 |
| 2 | Varun Chakravarthy | KKR – ₹4 Cr | MS Dhoni (CSK – ₹15 Cr) | Clean bowled Dhoni with a mystery spinner | 2020 |
| 3 | Mohsin Khan | LSG – ₹20 Lakhs | David Warner (DC – ₹6.25 Cr) | Dismissed Warner early, dominated powerplay | 2022 |
| 4 | Yashasvi Jaiswal | RR – ₹2.4 Cr | Ravindra Jadeja (CSK – ₹16 Cr) | Fastest IPL fifty (13 balls), dominated Jadeja | 2023 |
| 5 | Sarfaraz Khan | RCB – ₹10 Lakhs | Bhuvneshwar Kumar (SRH – ₹8.5 Cr) | Scored 35* off 10 balls with fearless hitting | 2016 |
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