Top 10 most expensive buys ever in the history of IPL auction

Here we look at the most expensive buys in the IPL auction history.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) brought some new dimensions into the game with players getting paid a huge some of money for one T20 season that is played once a year for only 2-3 months. Starting with an eight-team tournament, it has now included two more teams with each team having more than INR 100 crores in their purse to build a 22-25 member squad. This league has changed the lives and time of several players who partake in the league and got a huge amount of money in their purse.

Indian Premier League’s most expensive buys list includes a few big names who got big amounts of money from the auction including a few surprising names. Ben Stokes is the only player who has gone for plenty in numbers twice in the history of IPL auctions all due to his international performances in big ICC events. Let’s have a look at the top 10 expensive players in the history of the IPL auction. 

Here are the top 10 costliest buys in the history of IPL:

10. Ishan Kishan – 15.25 crores :

Wicket-keeper batter Ishan Kishan earned INR 15.25 crores from Mumbai Indians in IPL 2022 auction. Kishan was not retained by the franchise as they could only had four slots to fill before the mega auction, but MI went aggressive on Kishan’s bidding as they wanted the young wicket-keeper in their camp. For the first time in the history of auctions, MI spent such a huge amount on a player.

9. Pat Cummins – 15.5 crores :

After playing in alternate seasons of IPL, current Australian skipper Pat Cummins made a roaring entry in the IPL 2020 auction. After representing Kolkata Knight Riders in 2014 and 2015, Cummins was back in KKR camp with a huge amount of money in hand. Kolkata spent a huge amount of INR 15.5 crores on Cummins who became one of the most costliest players in the league’s auction history.

8. Yuvraj Singh – 16 crores :

This was one of the most interesting incidents that happened in an IPL auction. Royal Challengers Bangalore picked Yuvraj Singh in IPL 2014 auction for INR 14 crores and then released him for the next season to lower the price they spent on Yuvraj. Interestingly, RCB went on to bid for INR 15 crores in the next auction but they couldn’t get the big man. Delhi Daredevils’ (Now Delhi Capitals) final bid of 16 crores was the winner and Yuvi represented DD in IPL 2015. 

7. Nicholas Pooran – 16 crores :

IPL 2023 witnessed a heavy amount spent on players. West Indies middle-order batter Nicholas Pooran is one of the most dangerous T20 batters in cricket world and he has been among the most costly picks in IPL ever since he made his debut. Lucknow Super Giants needed a decent middle-order batting option and they spent a huge amount of INR 16 crores on Pooran. Nicholas Pooran scored 358 runs in 15 innings in IPL 2023 for LSG. 

6. Chris Morris – 16.25 crores :

South African all-rounder Chris Morris was the most expensive player in the league till IPL 2023 auction. In the IPL 2023 auction, teams spent heavily on several plays and Morris’ record was broken. Rajasthan Royals paid a huge amount of INR 16.25 crores to South African all-rounder who represented the Royals in 11 games. Morris picked up 15 wickets at an economy rate of 9.17. Morris was released in 2022 and also retired after that. 

5. Ben Stokes – 16.25 crores :

Ben Stokes had a terrific run in the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia and played a magical knock in the finals against Pakistan. Stokes helped England win two ICC titles in three years and that made IPL teams go for a bidding war when his name came up at the auction. Chennai Super Kings were the winner with a final bid of INR 16.25 crores in IPL 2023 auction. 

4. Cameron Green – 17.50 crores :

At IPL 2023 auction, Mumbai Indians spent INR 17.50 crores to buy Australian all-rounder Cameron Green who later played a crucial innings for MI in the final league game and took his side to IPL playoffs.

3. Sam Curran – 18.5 crores :

England all-rounder Sam Curran played a pivotal role in England’s T20 World Cup 2022 win in Australia. With that, he impressed IPL franchises and got massive bids at the IPL 2023 auction. Curran was bought for a whopping amount of INR 18.5 crores by Punjab Kings.

2. Pat Cummins – 20.50 crores :

In the IPL 2024 auction, Australian skipper Pat Cummins became the most expensive buy in the history of the Indian Premier League auctions breaching the INR 20-crore mark. Sunrisers Hyderabad, in a long bidding battle with Royal Challengers Bangalore, got Cummins in their camp. SRH bought the services of Pat Cummins for INR 20.50 crores for IPL 2024.

1. Mitchell Starc – 24.75 crores :

Australian pacer Mitchell Starc fell short of just one bid to breach the INR 25-crore mark in the IPL 2024 auction. Kolkata Knight Riders, in a long bidding war against Gujarat Titans, got the Australian pacer as the most expensive buy in the history of the Indian Premier League auctions. KKR acquired Mitchell Starc for a whopping price of INR 24.75 crores in the IPL 2024 auction held in Dubai.

(All stats and numbers updated till 23rd November, 2024)

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