All-Time Most Expensive Player in IPL

Most expensive players in IPL 2026

Watching the IPL 2026 season unfold in the UAE, I was struck by how franchises combined team strategy with franchise spending to secure both high-value overseas stars and record-breaking Indian picks, turning auction day on December 16 into a thrilling spectacle; the IPL 2026 Auction showcased Indian players and overseas players competing for the most expensive player in IPL, while the biggest signings, top-price players, expensive players, and Most Expensive Buys highlighted the shifting dynamics of the Indian Premier League cricket league, with every player price and auction signing reflecting careful planning, ambition, and the market’s belief in talent.

In the IPL 2026 Auction, franchises went all out to secure the biggest names, with both high-value overseas stars and record-breaking Indian picks making headlines. Top-price players like Cameron Green became the focus of intense bidding wars, reflecting the growing franchise spending and strategic planning in the UAE. Indian players and global stars alike drew massive bids, making auction day a spectacle of talent, ambition, and the pursuit of the most expensive player in IPL history.

Player Name	Sold Price (INR Cr)	Team	Country	Role
Virat Kohli	21.00	RCB	India	Batsman
Cameron Green	25.20	KKR	Australia	Batsman
Shreyas Iyer	26.75	PBKS	India	Batsman
Rishabh Pant	27.00	LSG	India	Batsman
Ruturaj Gaikwad	18.00	CSK	India	Batsman
Sanju Samson	18.00	CSK	India	Wicket Keeper
Axar Patel	16.50	DC	India	All Rounder
Rashid Khan	18.00	GT	Afghanistan	Bowler
Shubman Gill	16.50	GT	India	Batsman
Jos Buttler	15.75	GT	England	Wicket Keeper
Matheesha Pathirana	18.00	KKR	Sri Lanka	Bowler
Nicholas Pooran	21.00	LSG	West Indies	Wicket Keeper
Jasprit Bumrah	18.00	MI	India	Bowler
Suryakumar Yadav	16.35	MI	India	Batsman
Hardik Pandya	16.35	MI	India	All Rounder
Rohit Sharma	16.30	MI	India	Batsman
Arshdeep Singh	18.00	PBKS	India	Bowler
Yuzvendra Chahal	18.00	PBKS	India	Bowler
Ravindra Jadeja	18.00	RR	India	All Rounder
Yashasvi Jaiswal	18.00	RR	India	Batsman
Pat Cummins	18.00	SRH	Australia	Bowler
Heinrich Klaasen	23.00	SRH	South Africa	Wicket Keeper

Who Holds the Record as the Most Expensive Player in IPL History?

The IPL auction has always been a thrilling display of strategy, talent, and record-breaking bids. Rishabh Pant set the benchmark for Rs. 27 crores when the Lucknow Super Giants secured him, surpassing the previous record held by Mitchell Starc in 2024. Shreyas Iyer followed closely at Rs. 26.75 crores for Punjab Kings, proving that Indian players are commanding unprecedented prices alongside high-profile overseas stars. As someone who has closely watched IPL auctions, I noticed how Pat Cummins, previously topping the list, attracted intense franchise interest from Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, RCB, and eventually Hyderabad’s Sunrisers, with the team securing the super-fast bowler amid a heated bidding war.

Before Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer, Sam Curran, the England all-rounder, was the most expensive player at Rs. 18.5 crores for Punjab Kings, while New Zealand player Daryl Mitchell drew attention from Chennai Super Kings at Rs. 14 crores, ten times his base price. The IPL auction history reflects not just numbers but strategic choices by franchises balancing overseas players and Indian players, creating high-stakes moments that define team composition and push the boundaries of player valuation in cricket leagues worldwide.

All-Time Most Expensive Players in IPL History

The Indian Premier League has seen ten most expensive players emerge across IPL seasons from 2008-2024, with record signings and highest bids defining each auction. Watching the player auction unfold, it’s fascinating to see how franchises balanced franchise spending while chasing the most expensive player in IPL, with player prices consistently breaking records and highlighting the strategic depth of IPL auction history.

2008 – MS Dhoni

In the 2008 IPL season, MS Dhoni became the most expensive player of the tournament with a record bid of 9.5 crores, making headlines in the IPL auction and setting a benchmark for player prices. Secured by the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), this record signing not only reflected the franchise’s ambition but also marked the start of Dhoni’s iconic journey, shaping the team legacy and captaincy era. Watching the auction unfold, it was clear that this highest bid was a defining moment in IPL history, blending strategy, franchise spending, and the excitement of the Indian Premier League tournament.

2009 – Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff

In the 2009 IPL season, Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff emerged as the most expensive players, each attracting a bid of 9.8 crore during a thrilling 2009 IPL auction. The bidding war involved top franchises like Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), showcasing intense franchise bidding for overseas players and England players in IPL history. This record price highlighted the strategic nature of the player auction, with each highest bid reflecting the growing stakes and prestige associated with acquiring top talent in the IPL season.

2010 – Shane Bond and Kieron Pollard

In the 2010 IPL season, New Zealand pacer Shane Bond joined Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for 4.80 crores, while West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard secured a similar bid amount with Mumbai Indians (MI) after extended bargaining. Both overseas players became franchise signings that shaped IPL history, as each most expensive player brought match-winning skills, contributing to five IPL matches victories and reinforcing the strategic importance of auction decisions in the IPL season.

2011 – Gautam Gambhir

In 2011, Gautam Gambhir became the most expensive player in IPL history with a highest bid of 14.9 crores, as Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) made a strategic investment that proved fruitful. Leading the team to multiple IPL titles, Gambhir’s leadership and record signing exemplified successful captains’ impact on team success, while his auction record highlighted the growing intensity of franchise strategy in IPL history and the importance of investing in a player capable of transforming team dynamics.

2012 – Ravindra Jadeja

In the 2012 IPL season, Ravindra Jadeja emerged as the most expensive player when Chennai Super Kings (CSK) secured him for a bid of 12.8 crores, marking a significant investment by the franchise. This record signing reflected not only the player value Jadeja brought through his performance but also the strategic thinking behind team strategy in the cricket league, making the highest bid an important milestone in IPL history and a standout moment in the auction for the IPL season.

2013 – Glenn Maxwell

In the 2013 IPL season, Glen Maxwell became one of the most expensive players when Mumbai Indians (MI) acquired him for a bid of 5.3 crores, though limited opportunities led to player transfers and further team movement. His journey across franchises like Kings XI Punjab (Punjab Kings) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) highlighted the dynamics of overseas players in the auction, showing how strategic franchise decisions and record signing investments can shape team performance and leave a lasting mark on IPL history.

2014 and 2015 – Yuvraj Singh

In the 2014 and 2015 IPL seasons, Yuvraj Singh, famously known as the King of Sixes, became the most sought-after and most expensive player, with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) acquiring him for a bid of 14 crores in 2014 and Delhi Daredevils (DD) securing him for 16 crore rupees in 2015. His franchise acquisition reflected immense player value in both the IPL auction and season record, while his contributions as an overseas and Indian player influenced team performance, although RCB form in 2015 posed challenges despite his high-profile presence.

2016 – Shane Watson

In the 2016 IPL season, Shane Watson, the Australian all-rounder, emerged as one of the most expensive players when Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) secured him for a bid of 9.5 crores. His acquisition highlighted the value of an overseas player with expert bowling and explosive batting skills, reflecting both franchise strategy and team performance priorities. Watson’s record signing not only added depth to the RCB lineup but also marked a significant moment in IPL auction history, underscoring how player value in the cricket league continues to shape season dynamics.

2017 and 2018 – Ben Stokes

In the 2017 and 2018 IPL seasons, Ben Stokes, the English all-rounder, became one of the most expensive players, first bought by Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) for 14.5 crores and later by Rajasthan Royals (RR) for 12.5 crores. His acquisition showcased the high value of an overseas player in the IPL auction, emphasizing franchise strategy and team requirements while reflecting his immense player value. Stokes’ record signing highlighted how franchises continue to invest in top talent to strengthen their squad and impact IPL season dynamics in the cricket league.

2019 – Jaydev Unadkat and Varun Chakravarthy

In the 2019 IPL season, Jaydev Unadkat and Varun Chakravarthy emerged as the most expensive players, with bids of 8.4 crores, representing a strategic investment by Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Punjab Kings (PK). Both Indian players brought significant player value to their franchises, blending into the auction history as notable record signings. Their acquisition highlighted how team strategy balances the inclusion of overseas players alongside Indian talent, shaping the dynamics of the IPL season and reinforcing the importance of careful franchise bidding in the cricket league.

2020 – Pat Cummins

In the 2020 IPL season, Pat Cummins set a benchmark as a legendary player and the most expensive player in IPL history when Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) secured him with a high bid of 15.5 crores. This record signing emphasized the franchise’s commitment to strengthening their team strategy by adding a world-class overseas player whose exceptional skill and player value could impact the cricket league and IPL season, leaving a lasting mark on auction history and franchise planning.

2021 – Chris Morris

In the 2021 IPL season, Chris Morris emerged as the most expensive player in IPL history when Rajasthan Royals (RR) secured him with a record bid of 16.25 crores. This high bid highlighted the franchise’s strategic focus on team acquisition and maximizing player value, showcasing how an elite overseas player can influence both IPL season outcomes and the cricket league, while solidifying his status in auction history and IPL records as a top-tier player acquisition.

2022 – Ishan Kishan

In the 2022 IPL season, Ishan Kishan became the most expensive player when Mumbai Indians (MI) secured him with a record bid of 15.25 crores, emphasizing the franchise’s strategy on high-value team acquisition. This high bid not only reflected his immense player value as an Indian player but also strengthened his IPL record, highlighting the crucial role of auctions in shaping franchise decisions and the overall cricket league dynamics.

2023 – Sam Curran

In the 2023 IPL season, Sam Curran emerged as the most expensive player when Punjab Kings (PK) acquired the English all-rounder with a staggering bid of 18.5 crores, making him a key team asset. This high bid highlighted his immense player value as an overseas player, marked a record signing in IPL history, and reinforced the franchise’s auction strategy, while also setting a notable IPL record that showcased the evolving dynamics of the cricket league.

2024 – Mitchell Starc

In the 2024 IPL season, Mitchell Starc became the most expensive player in IPL history when Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) secured the Australian pacer for an astonishing 24.75 crores, setting a new IPL record and top bid. This record signing reflected his immense player value as an overseas player, elevated the franchise’s auction strategy, and highlighted the significance of team acquisition in shaping performance during the cricket league while adding a memorable chapter to IPL history.

2025 – Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer

In the 2025 IPL season, Rishabh Pant of Lucknow Super Giants became the most expensive player at 27 crores, surpassing the previous record set by Mitchell Starc in 2024, while Shreyas Iyer joined Punjab Kings for 26.75 crores, making him another top bid and highest-paid player. These record-breaking bids during the IPL auction emphasized franchise strategies, player value, and the importance of Indian players alongside overseas players, marking a new era in IPL history and showcasing how franchise investments can redefine the IPL season.

Conclusion

The IPL has consistently redefined player value through record-breaking bids, blending strategy, talent, and franchise ambition. From MS Dhoni to Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer, the evolution of the most expensive players highlights the growing importance of both Indian and overseas stars in shaping team success. Each auction not only sets new benchmarks but also reflects how franchises strategically invest to dominate the cricket league, making the pursuit of top players a central spectacle of the IPL season.

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