The Indian Premier League (IPL) is the most extravagant event in cricket, with the annual player auction being a major highlight. All eight teams bid to secure the players that best suit their franchise, and some cricketers even get multi-million dollar contracts. Here is a list of the most expensive IPL Players.
Most Expensive Players in IPL Auction History
Discover the most expensive players in IPL auction history. Explore the remarkable bids and investments made for these top cricket talents. Also read Highest Run Scorer in IPL in One Season.
KL Rahul: IPL Most Expensive Player
He currently serves as the captain for LSG and was acquired by the franchise for 11 crores during the IPL 2019 auction. Rahul’s outstanding performance with the team saw him scoring 654 runs in 14 games, making a significant impact in the league. Following the departure of Ravichandran Ashwin in the 2019 season, Kl Rahul was appointed as the skipper of the team.
Gautam Gambhir
Gambhir initially captained the Delhi team before being bought by the Kolkata Knight Riders for a substantial 11.4 crores. Subsequently, he was appointed as the captain of the franchise and successfully led the team for seven consecutive years. Under his leadership, the team clinched two titles in the years 2012 and 2014.
Jaydev Unadkat
Rajasthan Royals spent 11.5 crores in Jaydev following his notable hat-trick for the Supergiants in 2017, ultimately securing him in the 2018 auction. Hailing from Saurashtra, Jaydev is recognized as a skilled left-arm pacer who earned a spot in the Indian Cricket Team a few years ago.
Dinesh Karthik
Delhi Devils once again made a substantial investment, this time in Karthik, who had previously played for six different franchises before 2014. Recognized for his seasoned batting skills, Dinesh was acquired for 12.5 crores. The Tamil Nadu wicket-keeper had also been part of the franchise in the preceding three seasons.
Glenn Maxwell
Royal Challengers showed a strong inclination to invest during the bidding for Maxwell. Despite a less impressive performance in 2020, the player still fetched an impressive auction price of 14.25 crores. Glenn’s brilliant playing style prompted the franchise to vigorously bid for him during the auction.
Ben Stokes
Until last year, Stokes held the record for being the highest-paid overseas player in the IPL auction, before being surpassed by Cummins. The New Zealand-born English all-rounder was acquired for 14.5 crores by The Rising Pune Supergiant in 2017.
Kyle Jamieson
Royal Challengers Bangalore demonstrated their trust in Kyle by acquiring him for 15 crores. The New Zealand fast bowler proved himself as a shining star by delivering impressive performances in the domestic T20 season.
Pat Cummins
In the year 2020, Kolkata Knight Riders acquired the Australian fast bowler Pat for a substantial 15.5 crores. The franchise, owned by Shahrukh Khan, Juhi Chawla, and her spouse, joined the bidding process a bit later but ultimately secured Cummins. This signing set a new record for the most expensive purchase of an overseas player, surpassing the earlier record held by England’s all-rounder Ben Stokes in 2017.
Yuvraj Singh
Singh, India’s flamboyant left-handed all-rounder, was acquired for 16 crores by Delhi Daredevils ahead of the IPL 2015 season. However, Yuvraj’s performance, with 248 runs in 14 matches at an average of 19, led to his release from the team before the subsequent season.
Chris Morris
In the IPL 2021 auction, all records were shattered when Rajasthan Royals secured Chris for a staggering 16.25 crores. Amidst a fierce bidding war, Rajasthan emerged victorious, successfully acquiring the all-rounder Chris Morris and setting a new record for the most expensive purchase in IPL history.
Ishan Kishan – Most Expensive Player in IPL 2022
Ishan Kishan marked a triumphant comeback to cricket with the Mumbai Indians, the five-time IPL champions, securing him for a noteworthy sum of Rs. 15.25 crore. The Jharkhand wicketkeeper-batsman emerged as the costliest acquisition in the high-profile event.
MI’s interest in Ishan was sparked by his impressive track record, having scored 1133 runs in 45 IPL matches for the Mumbai Indians in 2018 and 2021. In a bidding war between Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings, the latter withdrew at Rs. 7.50 crores, leaving the former in competition with Gujarat Titans.
However, the Gujarat Titans quickly backed out, pushing the bid over the Rs. 15-crore mark, forcing Mumbai Indians to bid thrice as the Sunrisers Hyderabad conceded defeat.
Sam Curran – Most Expensive Player in IPL 2023
Sam Curran, representing the Punjab Kings, fetched an astronomical amount of INR 18.5 crore, making him the most expensive player in the history of the IPL.
FAQ’s
Who is the most expensive IPL Player ever?
English all-rounder Sam Curran made history as the most expensive player in the IPL, securing an incredible deal of 18.5 crore when he was bought by the Punjab Kings in 2023.
What is the price of Virat Kohli in IPL 2023?
He was retained as the top pick for INR 15 crore before the IPL 2022 Mega Auction and will continue to be valued at the same amount for the IPL 2023 season. This marks a reduction of 2 crores from the INR 17 crore per season he had received from IPL 2018 to 2021. Virat Kohli holds the distinction of being the first player in IPL history to earn INR 17 crore per season.
Who is the most expensive player sold in IPL 2023?
Sam Curran, representing the Punjab Kings, fetched an astronomical amount of INR 18.5 crore, making him the most expensive player in the history of the IPL.