Top 5 most expensive overseas buys at IPL 2025 mega auction

A total of INR 639.15 crores was spent during the IPL 2025 mega auction.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction, held over two days in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, concluded on November 25. The historic event saw all the ten franchises entering into intense bidding wars to make balanced squads for upcoming seasons.

Indian players dominated the the IPL 2025 mega auction, with Rishabh Pant setting the new record as the most expensive player in the IPL history with his INR 27 crores move to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).

Punjab Kings (PBKS) made significant buys, acquiring three big Indian names for hefty sums – Shreyas Iyer (INR 26.75 crores), Arshdeep Singh (INR 18 crores) and Yuzvendra Chahal (INR 18 crores).

Unlike the previous auction, where Australian fast bowlers Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins both went for over INR 20 crores, overseas players faced a more conservative approach from the franchises this time. While none of the overseas player fetched over INR 20 crore, a few of them were able to have a nice pay day at the auction.

On that note, let’s look at the top five most expensive overseas buys at IPL 2025 mega auction.

Five most expensive overseas buys at IPL 2025 mega auction.

5. Mitchell Starc – INR 11.75 crores, Delhi Capitals

The most expensive player of the IPL 2024 auction, Mitchell Starc was sold for INR 11.75 crores this time. Although he was still the fifth most expensive overseas player in this year’s mega auction, Starc was handed a massive pay cut of INR 13 crores as be was bought for INR 11.75 crores by Delhi Capitals.

Starc took 17 wickets in 14 games at an average of 26, playing for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2024.

4. Jofra Archer – INR 12.5 crores, Rajasthan Royals

Sidelined often in the last three years by injuries, Jofra Archer will return to the IPL in the IPL 2025 season. Archer was acquired by Rajasthan Royals for INR 12.5 crores after an intense bidding war with Mumbai Indians.

Archer has taken 46 wickets in 35 games in the IPL. He was the Player of the Tournament in IPL 2020 while also playing for RR.

3. Josh Hazlewood – INR 12.5 crores, Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Lanky Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood will join Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for the IPL 2025 season. RCB snatched Hazlewood for the price of INR 12.5 crores after winning the bidding war with Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants.

Hazlewood represented RCB during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. He will bring the much-needed discipline in RCB’s fast bowling attack.

2. Trent Boult – INR 12.5 crores, Mumbai Indians

Trent Boult will represent Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2025 as he was roped in by the five-time champions for INR 12.5 crores. Boult was part of the MI setup during the 2020 and 2021 IPL seasons.

The left-arm pacer has an impressive record with MI: he has picked 38 wickets in 29 games for the franchise. Boult’s return to MI means he will once again partner with Jasprit Bumrah, forming one of the best pace duos in the competition.

1. Jos Buttler – INR 15.75 crores, Gujarat Titans

England’s white-ball captain Jos Buttler was the most expensive overseas player at the IPL 2025 mega auction. The English keeper-opener was acquired by IPL 2022 winners Gujarat Titans for INR 15.75 crores.

Buttler is expected to partner Shubman Gill at the top to form one of the most formidable opening combinations in the tournament. Buttler has made 3582 runs in 107 games with a strike rate of 148 in his IPL career. He was also the leading run scorer during the 2022 season with 863 runs.

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