Indian Premier League was created by Lalit Modi in 2007, and since then, it has been organised by the BCCI (Board of Cricket Control in India) every year. The first edition of this Twenty20 cricket league was held in 2008, and the 18th edition is currently being held in 2025. Rajasthan Royals won the inaugural season, while Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings have won the IPL most times (5).
Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Virat Kohli holds the record for scoring the most runs in IPL (8,063), while Rajasthan Royals’ Yuzvendra Chahal is the bowler with the most wickets (205). Shah Rukh Khan’s Kolkata Knight Riders won the IPL in 2024, and for this year’s competition, all the teams look strong and are full of depth. Over the years, we have seen almost every team spending like anything to build the strongest team.
Meet the most expensive players in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL)
According to a report in MyKhel, during the IPL 2025 auction, all ten teams spent a total sum of Rs. 639.15 crore. However, this isn’t the only season when almost every team spent such huge numbers at the auction. Now, without further ado, let’s talk about the most expensive players ever in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
#1. Rishabh Pant for Rs. 27 crore: From Delhi Capitals to Lucknow Super Giants
Rishabh Pant is considered as one of the most outstanding wicket-keeper batsmen in world cricket right now. After spending so many years at Delhi Capitals, Rishabh Pant was purchased by Lucknow Super Giants for a jaw-dropping price tag of Rs. 27 crore, making him the most expensive player ever in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
#2. Shreyas Iyer for Rs. 26.75 crore: From Kolkata Knight Riders to Punjab Kings
One of the biggest shocking deals of the IPL 2025 auction is Shreyas Iyer’s transfer from Kolkata Knight Riders to Punjab Kings. For the uninitiated, Shreyas was KKR’s captain when they lifted the IPL title in 2024. Hence, it was shocking to see KKR releasing their skipper ahead of the IPL 2025. However, Punjab Kings wasted no time acquiring Iyer and paid a whopping sum of Rs. 26.75 crore.
#3. Mitchell Starc for Rs. 24.75 crore: From Kolkata Knight Riders to Delhi Capitals
Australian bowler, Mitchell Starc was instrumental for Kolkata Knight Riders when they lifted the trophy in 2024. Like Shreyas Iyer, Starc was also released, and Delhi Capitals signed the explosive Aussie bowler for a staggering sum of Rs. 24.75 crores. Delhi Capitals broke the bank for him and made him the most expensive foreign player in the history of IPL.
#4. Venkatesh Iyer for 23.75 crore: Kolkata Knight Riders retained their key player for IPL 2025
Kolkata Knight Riders dominated the headlines during the IPL 2025 auction, courtesy of their shocking deals. One such deal was of Venkatesh Iyer, whom KKR retained for a mammoth sum of Rs. 23.75 crore. Many eyebrows were raised on this deal, and it will be interesting to see whether Venkatesh repaid the faith KKR showed in him.
#5. Pat Cummins for Rs. 20.50 crore: Sunrisers Hyderabad retained their world-class Australian all-rounder
Love or hate him, there’s no denying the fact that Pat Cummins is currently one of the best bowlers in world cricket. Not only this, but he is also a genuine world-class batsman, which makes him a lethal all-rounder that every team in the world would prefer not to face him. During the IPL 2025 auction, Sunrisers Hyderabad retained the star Australian all-rounder for a whopping sum of Rs. 20.50 crore.
#6. Sam Curran’s Rs. 18.50 crore: When Punjab Kings broke the bank for English all-rounder
During the IPL 2023 auction, Sam Curran was purchased by Punjab Kings for a sum of Rs. 18.50 crore, and he was the most expensive player of that particular season. For the uninitiated, back in 2023, Sam Curran was one of the most lethal all-rounders in the world, which was why the whopping sum spent by Punjab Kings on the English all-rounder was rightly justified.
#7. Arshdeep Singh for Rs. 18 crore: Punjab Kings retained their highest wicket-taker in IPL 2024
Arshdeep Singh is one of the most crucial players of the Punjab Kings in recent times. During the IPL 2024, he was the Punjab Kings’ highest wicket-taker. Due to this, he was retained in the IPL 2025 auction, and Punjab Kings spent the huge sum of Rs. 18 crore, which clearly speaks volumes about his immense contribution to the team.
#8. Yuzvendra Chahal for Rs. 18 crore: Punjab Kings retained IPL’s all-time wicket-taker
Arshdeep Singh isn’t the only cricketer, whom Punjab Kings retained in the IPL 2025 auction; the side renewed the contract for another ace bowler, Yuzvendra Chahal. The hefty sum of Rs. 18 crore spent by Punjab Kings officially made Chahal the most expensive spinner of all time. For the uninitiated, Chahal is IPL’s highest wicket-taker with 205 dismissals.
#9. Cameron Green for Rs. 17.50 crore: Mumbai Indians made him the second most expensive player in IPL history in 2023
Australian batsman, Cameron Green debuted in the IPL in 2023 when Mumbai Indians purchased him for Rs. 17.50 crore. It was a huge deal for IPL, making Cameron Green the second most expensive player in the competition’s history. Sam Curran was the most expensive player in IPL’s history at that time when Punjab Kings signed him for Rs. 18.50 crore.
#10. Ben Stokes for Rs. 16.25 crore: Chennai Super Kings purchased him from Rajasthan Royals
Ace English cricketer, Ben Stokes was released by Rajasthan Royals ahead of the IPL 2023, and it was Chennai Super Kings who signed him for Rs. 16.25 crore. For the unversed, Ben Stokes missed the IPL 2024 to focus on the Test season. The cricketer couldn’t make it to the auction list of IPL 2025. Hence, there’s a high possibility that the Test Captain will not be featured in IPL 2026.
What are your thoughts on this list of IPL’s most expensive players? Let us know.
Also Read: Meet Aryaman Birla, World’s Richest Cricketer: Rs. 70,000 Cr Net Worth, Ranji To RR, Retired At 22
