Top 10 Most Expensive Players In IPL History

The highly anticipated IPL 2025 mega auction ended on Monday, November 25, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This after an action-packed two-day event saw a total of 577 players went under the hammer as franchises, armed with an increased budget of ₹120 crore each, strategized to assemble their squads for the next three seasons.

Here we take a look at the most expensive player in IPL history. 

Top picks in IPL 2025:

The IPL 2025 auction saw massive bids, with Indian stars like Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer raising the bar to new heights in the league.

Rishabh Pant – ₹27 Crore

Rishabh Pant, India’s dynamic wicketkeeper-batter, scripted history when he became the most expensive player in IPL when he was snapped up by the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for a record-breaking ₹27 crore, Pant is expected to be a game-changer for the franchise. In addition to his explosive batting, he could also take up the captaincy role in the time. 

Shreyas Iyer – ₹26.75 Crore

The dependable Indian middle-order batter secured a whopping ₹26.75 crore deal. A capable hitter against the spinners and the captain who won the title with the Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2024 and he will once again take over captaincy for Punjab Kings with Ricky Ponting stepping into the role of head coach. 

Venkatesh Iyer – ₹23.75 Crore

All-rounder Venkatesh Iyer’s consistent performances in crucial playoff matches earned him ₹23.75 crore in a bidding war between the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders. He was snapped up by the KKR for this whopping amount and he could well be their new captain. 

Arshdeep Singh – ₹18 Crore

Fresh off a stellar T20 World Cup campaign, the left-arm pacer drew immense interest in the auction. While he wasn’t retained by Punjab Kings (PBKS), they used their Right to Match (RTM) card to bring him back for ₹18 crore.

Yuzvendra Chahal – ₹18 Crore

Leg-spin maestro Yuzvendra Chahal, IPL’s all-time leading wicket-taker, was snapped up by Punjab Kings (PBKS) for ₹18 crore. His ability to exploit larger grounds makes him an invaluable asset to PBKS’ bowling lineup.

The IPL 2025 mega auction not only shattered records but also highlighted the franchises’ tactical maneuvers to secure top-tier talent. With these marquee players in new colors, fans can expect a riveting season ahead.

Who is the most expensive player in IPL?

Let us take a look at the top 10 most expensive players in the IPL over the years:

Mitchell Starc

Mitchell Starc, one of the premier fast bowlers in world cricket, was picked up by the Kolkata Knight Riders for ₹24.75 crore for the IPL 2024 season – this made him the most expensive player in IPL 2024. Starc’s ability to deliver lethal yorkers and maintain pace made him a key pick. 

Pat Cummins

Pat Cummins, the World Cup winning Australian captain, was picked up by the Sunrisers Hyderabad for ₹20.50 crore in IPL 2024. Cummins’ experience and prowess in spearheading the bowling attack are played a crucial role in SRH’s quest for success in the tournament.

Sam Curran

Sam Curran, an all-rounder with a knack for delivering in crucial moments, was bought by the Punjab Kings for ₹18.50 crore in IPL 2023. Curran’s ability to contribute with both bat and ball adds significant value, made him a key player in the team’s strategy and execution.

Cameron Green

Cameron Green, an emerging all-rounder from Australia, was snapped up by the Mumbai Indians for ₹17.50 crore in IPL 2023. Green was both versatile for Mumbai, but he was then traded to the Royal Challengers Bangalore. 

Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes, a world-class all-rounder known for his match-winning abilities, was signed by the Chennai Super Kings for ₹16.25 crore for IPL 2023. Stokes’ experience and prowess with both bat and ball bolstered CSK. However, injury kept him out for a majority of the tournament. 

FAQs

Who became the most expensive player in IPL history?

Rishabh Pant set a record by being purchased by Lucknow Super Giants for ₹27 crore.

Which player secured the second-highest bid in IPL 2025?
Shreyas Iyer was signed by Punjab Kings for ₹26.75 crore.

Which team acquired Venkatesh Iyer in IPL 2025, and for how much?
Kolkata Knight Riders bought Venkatesh Iyer for ₹23.75 crore.

Which bowlers fetched ₹18 crore in the IPL 2025 auction?
Arshdeep Singh and Yuzvendra Chahal were both signed for ₹18 crore, by Punjab Kings.

Where was the IPL 2025 mega auction held?
The IPL 2025 mega auction took place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.