The Indian Premier League (IPL) has long been more than just a cricket tournament—it’s a global spectacle where talent meets value. Over the years, the IPL auction has served as a platform where cricketers worldwide achieve jaw-dropping valuations.
The IPL 2025 mega auction was nothing short of a blockbuster event! Hosted at the stunning Abady Al-Johar Arena in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the night witnessed history being made as five players stormed into the elite list of the top 10 most expensive signings in IPL history.
Here’s a list of the top 10 most expensive players in IPL history.
Most expensive players in IPL
| Player Name | Price | Team | Edition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rishabh Pant | ₹27.00 crore | Lucknow Super Giants | IPL 2025 |
| Shreyas Iyer | ₹26.75 crore | Punjab Kings | IPL 2025 |
| Mitchell Starc | ₹24.75 crore | Kolkata Knight Riders | IPL 2024 |
| Venkatesh Iyer | ₹23.75 crore | Kolkata Knight Riders | IPL 2025 |
| Pat Cummins | ₹20.50 crore | Sunrisers Hyderabad | IPL 2024 |
| Sam Curran | ₹18.50 crore | Punjab Kings | IPL 2023 |
| Arshdeep Singh | ₹18 crore | Punjab Kings | IPL 2025 |
| Yuzvendra Chahal | ₹18 crore | Punjab Kings | IPL 2025 |
| Cameron Green | ₹17.50 crore | Mumbai Indians | IPL 2023 |
| Ben Stokes | ₹16.25 crore | Chennai Super Kings | IPL 2023 |
Australia’s Mitchell Starc has been a hot property in the IPL auction scene, and his ₹24.75 crore signing by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ahead of the 2024 season remains the third-highest bid in IPL history. KKR didn’t stop there—they once again made waves at the IPL 2025 mega auction by re-signing Venkatesh Iyer for an eye-popping ₹23.75 crore, ensuring the talented all-rounder returned to their fold.
The Sunrisers Hyderabad also entered the big-spender club by securing Pat Cummins for ₹20.50 crore during the 2024 auction. This acquisition highlighted their intent to bolster their squad with proven international stars.
Looking back, Yuvraj Singh, a legend of Indian cricket and a pivotal player in India’s 2007 T20 World Cup win, was the most expensive Indian player before the 2025 auction. He made headlines when Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) bought him for ₹16 crore in 2015.
However, Yuvraj’s record was surpassed in 2025 right from the opening bid! Punjab Kings pulled out their Right-to-Match (RTM) card to retain Arshdeep Singh for ₹18 crore, a move that showcased their faith in the talented bowler. Punjab Kings, who entered the auction with the largest purse of ₹110.5 crore, also made a splash by signing the experienced spinner Yuzvendra Chahal for an equally impressive ₹18 crore.
The legendary MS Dhoni set the bar for expensive IPL signings way back in 2008, fetching $1.5 million from Chennai Super Kings at the inaugural auction. Since then, Dhoni has remained the backbone of CSK, leading the team to five titles and solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest captains in IPL history.
In 2011, KKR made history by signing Gautam Gambhir for a then-record ₹14.9 crore. Gambhir’s acquisition turned out to be a masterstroke, as he led KKR to two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014.
Among overseas players, Ben Stokes and Yuvraj Singh share a unique distinction—they are the only two cricketers to emerge as the costliest buys of the season more than once. Stokes first fetched ₹14.5 crore from Rising Pune Supergiant in 2017 and then ₹12.5 crore from Rajasthan Royals in 2018. He made headlines again in 2023 when Chennai Super Kings secured him for ₹16.25 crore.
Yuvraj, meanwhile, commanded ₹14 crore from Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2014 before topping that the following year when Delhi Daredevils acquired him for ₹16 crore.
From Dhoni’s record-breaking first auction to the jaw-dropping bids of 2025, the IPL auction continues to be a theater of dreams, where cricketing talent meets unparalleled valuation.
