Top 15+ Most Expensive Players in IPL History (Updated 2026)

The IPL auction is where cricket franchises fight to sign players who can deliver results under pressure.

Every season brings new bidding wars that set fresh price records.

Teams spend big on players who can handle high-stakes situations and change match outcomes.

The auction process reflects how much value franchises place on specific roles like death bowling, captaincy, and finishing ability.

Auction spending patterns show which skills command premium prices.

All-rounders, impact batsmen, and wicket-taking bowlers attract the highest bids across seasons.

Find out when your top player takes the field by checking the Tata IPL 2026 Schedule today.

Most Expensive Players in IPL History

Top 17 Expensive Players in IPL History

1. Rishabh Pant – INR 27.00 crore (IPL 2025)

Nationality: Indian
Role: Wicketkeeper-batsman

Rishabh Pant set the record as the most expensive player in IPL history when Lucknow Super Giants bought him in 2025. His price reflects multiple high-value skills.

Why the price was justified:

• Wicketkeeping ability reduces team selection constraints
• Middle-order attacking capability in pressure situations
• Leadership potential after previous captaincy experience

Lucknow needed a match-winner who could anchor innings while maintaining strike rates above 140. Pant’s ability to play pace and spin equally well made him worth the investment.

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2. Shreyas Iyer – INR 26.75 crore (IPL 2025)

Nationality: Indian
Role: Top-order batsman

Punjab Kings spent big to acquire Shreyas Iyer for his captaincy record and batting consistency. He became the second-highest paid player ever.

Why the price was justified:

• Proven leadership track record with the KKR title win
• Strong performance against quality spin bowling
• Ability to build innings without losing momentum

Punjab required someone who could stabilize their batting lineup while handling captaincy duties. Iyer’s calm approach under pressure matched their requirements.

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3. Cameron Green – INR 25.20 crore (IPL 2026)

Nationality: Australian
Role: All-rounder

Cameron Green became the most expensive overseas player in IPL 2026 when Kolkata Knight Riders secured him. The bid reflected demand for genuine pace-bowling all-rounders.

Why the price was justified:

• The overseas all-rounder slot provides maximum team balance
• Top-order hitting ability with power-hitting range
• Fast-medium bowling option for middle overs

Franchises valued his potential despite limited IPL experience. His international performances showed he could deliver in high-pressure tournaments.

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4. Mitchell Starc – INR 24.75 crore (IPL 2024)

Nationality: Australian
Role: Fast bowler

Kolkata Knight Riders paid record money for Mitchell Starc based on his ability to take wickets in powerplay and death overs. His World Cup record made him a priority target.

Why the price was justified:

• Swing bowling threat in the first six overs
• Yorker execution in death overs under pressure
• Tournament experience with proven big-match temperament

Teams struggle to find bowlers who can bowl both phases effectively. Starc’s skillset matched KKR’s specific requirements for their title defense.

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5. Venkatesh Iyer – INR 23.75 crore (IPL 2025)

Nationality: Indian
Role: All-rounder

Kolkata Knight Riders brought back Venkatesh Iyer with a massive bid in 2025. Indian all-rounders who can open the batting are rare in the auction market.

Why the price was justified:

• Indian all-rounder slot maximizes overseas player flexibility
• Opening batting option with boundary-hitting ability
• Medium-pace bowling provides fifth bowler backup

His previous success with KKR gave the franchise confidence. The price reflected scarcity value for his specific skill combination.

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6. Pat Cummins – INR 20.50 crore (IPL 2024)

Nationality: Australian
Role: Fast bowler

Sunrisers Hyderabad acquired Pat Cummins for his leadership and pressure-handling ability. The Australian captain brought proven tournament success credentials.

Why the price was justified:

• Bowling captaincy provides a tactical edge
• Consistent wicket-taking ability across all phases
• Lower-order batting adds depth to the lineup

Cummins delivered immediate results by leading SRH to the finals in 2024. His tactical awareness justified the investment.

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7. Sam Curran – INR 18.50 crore (IPL 2023)

Nationality: English
Role: All-rounder

Punjab Kings bought Sam Curran after his T20 World Cup performance in 2022. His ability to bowl powerplay and death overs made him valuable.

Why the price was justified:

• Left-arm pace provides variation in the bowling attack
• Lower-order hitting capability changes match situations
• Utility across all match phases reduces selection pressure

Curran’s World Cup Player of the Tournament award showed his ability to perform under pressure. Punjab needed someone who could fill multiple roles.

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8. Matheesha Pathirana – INR 18.00 crore (IPL 2026)

Nationality: Sri Lankan
Role: Fast bowler

Kolkata Knight Riders secured Matheesha Pathirana in a bidding war with Chennai Super Kings and Lucknow Super Giants. Death bowling specialists command premium prices in modern T20 cricket.

Why the price was justified:

• Yorker accuracy in final overs prevents late-innings acceleration
• Unique bowling action creates unfamiliarity for batsmen
• Youth provides long-term investment value

Death bowling wins close matches. Pathirana’s ability to defend totals made him worth the investment for KKR’s championship defense.

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9. Arshdeep Singh – INR 18.00 crore (IPL 2025)

Nationality: Indian
Role: Fast bowler

Punjab Kings retained Arshdeep Singh’s services with a substantial bid in 2025. Indian left-arm pace bowlers who can bowl death overs are hard to find.

Why the price was justified:

• Left-arm angle creates difficult matchups for batsmen
• Death-over yorker execution under pressure
• Indian player slot preserves overseas flexibility

Arshdeep’s international performances showed consistency. Punjab needed to secure their most reliable death bowler at any cost.

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10. Yuzvendra Chahal – INR 18.00 crore (IPL 2025)

Nationality: Indian
Role: Leg-spinner

Punjab Kings strengthened their spin department by acquiring Yuzvendra Chahal. Middle-overs wicket control is critical in T20 cricket strategy.

Why the price was justified:

• Consistent wicket-taking ability in the middle overs
• Experience against top international batsmen
• Indian spinner slot allows four overseas players

Chahal’s ability to break partnerships in overs 7-15 provides tactical advantage. His IPL track record justified the investment.

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11. Cameron Green – INR 17.50 crore (IPL 2023)

Nationality: Australian
Role: All-rounder

Mumbai Indians signed Cameron Green in 2023 based on his international performances. His price reflected potential rather than IPL track record.

Why the price was justified:

• Top-order power-hitting capability
• Fast-medium bowling adds balance
• The youth factor provides multi-season value

Mumbai needed batting firepower in their lineup. Green’s international strike rates showed he could deliver in pressure situations.

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12. Ben Stokes – INR 16.35 crore (IPL 2023)

Nationality: English
Role: All-rounder

Chennai Super Kings acquired Ben Stokes for his match-winning reputation. His ability to change games with bat or ball made him a priority target.

Why the price was justified:

• Proven World Cup and Ashes performances
• Middle-order stability with aggressive capability
• Seam bowling option in Indian conditions

Stokes’ ability to perform in crucial moments justified the investment. CSK valued his big-match temperament.

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13. Chris Morris – INR 16.25 crore (IPL 2021)

Nationality: South African
Role: All-rounder

Rajasthan Royals made Chris Morris the most expensive player in IPL 2021. Death bowling all-rounders were in high demand that season.

Why the price was justified:

• Death-over bowling with pace variations
• Power-hitting ability in the final overs
• Previous IPL performances showed consistency

The 2021 auction saw limited quality all-rounders available. Morris’s specific skillset commanded premium pricing in that market context.

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14. Nicholas Pooran – INR 16.00 crore (IPL 2022)

Nationality: West Indian
Role: Wicketkeeper-batsman

Lucknow Super Giants secured Nicholas Pooran for his finishing ability. Left-handed wicketkeeper-batsmen provide tactical advantages.

Why the price was justified:

• Finishing ability to chase targets in the final overs
• Wicketkeeping option provides team balance
• Left-handed batting creates matchup advantages

Pooran’s Caribbean Premier League performances showed his power-hitting range. LSG needed someone who could close matches.

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15. Yuvraj Singh – INR 16.00 crore (IPL 2015)

Nationality: Indian
Role: All-rounder

Delhi Daredevils paid big money for Yuvraj Singh based on his legacy and past IPL performances. The price reflected his brand value alongside his playing ability.

Why the price was justified:

• Previous tournament success, including World Cup wins
• Indian all-rounder combination provides flexibility
• Marketing value froman  established fan base

Legacy players command premium prices in auctions. Yuvraj’s name recognition added commercial value beyond cricket performance.

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16. Jos Buttler – INR 15.75 crore (IPL 2025)

Nationality: English
Role: Wicketkeeper-batsman

Gujarat Titans acquired Jos Buttler to strengthen their opening partnership. Top-order wicketkeeper-batsmen who can set platforms are valuable assets.

Why the price was justified:

• Opening dominance with boundary-hitting ability
• Wicketkeeping reduces selection constraints
• White-ball captaincy experience provides leadership depth

Buttler’s ability to score quickly in powerplay overs gives teams momentum. Gujarat needed someone who could anchor their top order.

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17. Ishan Kishan – INR 15.25 crore (IPL 2022)

Nationality: Indian
Role: Wicketkeeper-batsman

Mumbai Indians secured Ishan Kishan for his dual role as opener and wicketkeeper. The combination of skills justified the investment.

Why the price was justified:

• Indian opener slot preserves overseas flexibility
• Wicketkeeping ability provides team balance
• Left-handed batting creates variety in the lineup

Young Indian wicketkeeper-batsmen are rare in the market. Kishan’s age provided long-term value alongside immediate impact potential.

Most Expensive Player In IPL Every Season

Conclusion:

The top 10 most expensive players in ipl history show how franchise strategies have changed over time.

Record prices now cross 27 crore as teams compete for match-winners who can deliver across multiple seasons.

Indian players command higher prices due to team composition rules that limit overseas slots.

All-rounders and death bowlers consistently attract maximum bids because they solve multiple team requirements.

Key trends in IPL auction spending:

• Most expensive indian player in ipl history is Rishabh Pant at 27 crore
• Top 5 most expensive players in ipl history are all valued above 20 crore
• Most expensive player in ipl history 2024 was Mitchell Starc before records changed
• Top 10 highest paid ipl player 2026 list includes Cameron Green at position three
• Most expensive indian player in ipl 2026 auction cycles favors all-rounders over specialists

Future auctions will likely see prices cross 30 crore as broadcast revenues increase.

Teams now pay premium amounts for specific skillsets rather than general talent across formats.

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