IPL 2022: Lucknow makes KL Rahul highest-paid player for new edition, here's where Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni stand

KL Rahul (Lucknow) - Rs 17 crore

KL Rahul, who is leading India in the ongoing ODI series in South Africa, was picked by Lucknow for Rs 17 crore. He will also captain the side, which was bought for Rs 7,090 crore (USD 940 million approx.) last October by the RP Sanjiv Goenka Group.

After starting his IPL career in 2013 when he was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Rahul went to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in 2014, and was traded back to RCB in 2016 before the Punjab franchise (then Kings XI Punjab) paid Rs 11 crore to buy him in the 2018 auction.

Ravindra Jadeja (CSK) - Rs. 16 crore 

Rohit Sharma (MI) - Rs. 16 crore 

Rishabh Pant (DC) - Rs. 16 crore

Next on the list are the three top players who were retained by their respective franchises. Young Delhi skipper Rishabh Pant along with Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Rohit Sharma and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja were the biggest gainers, having been retained for Rs. 16 crores each.

Virat Kohli (RCB) - Rs. 15 crore

Hardik Pandya (Ahmedabad) - Rs 15 crore

Rashid Khan (Ahmedabad) - Rs 15 crore

Former India skipper Virat Kohli earned less than he used to after he gave up his Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captaincy ahead of the new edition. Kohli, who was retained by RCB, was second on the list, having been retained for Rs. 15 crore.

However, while he was alone sitting on that list, now he is joined by Ahmedabad franchise players Hardik Pandya and Rashid Khan - who became the highest earning overseas player.

While Hardik played for Mumbai Indians (MI) till last season, Rashid had represented Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) before being released.

Kane Williamson (SRH) - Rs. 14 crore 

Sanju Samson (RR) - Rs. 14 crore

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) skipper Kane Williamson was the highest-earning overseas player until retention - before Rashid Khan was purchased by Ahmedabad for 15 crore - having been retained by SRH for Rs. 14 crores. He had replaced David Warner as the skipper midseason in IPL 2021.

Rajasthan Royals (RR) skipper Sanu Samson was also retained for the same price by their franchise. He had led the side in the previous edition as well.

MS Dhoni (CSK) - Rs. 12 crore

Jasprit Bumrah (MI) - Rs. 12 crore 

Mayank Agarwal (PBKS) - Rs. 12 crore 

Andre Russell (KKR) - Rs. 12 crore 

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper MS Dhoni, who may be playing his final season, was retained by the defending champions for Rs. 12 crores.

Other players who were retained for the same price were Mumbai Indians (MI) pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who has been lethal with his attack.

Punjab Kings (PBKS) had retained just two players ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction and one of them was India player Mayank Agarwal.

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) also retained explosive all-rounder Andre Russell (12 crore) as the franchise let go of their expensive player Pat Cummins and skipper Eoin Morgan.