List of Most Expensive IPL Players in History (2008–2025)
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has become one of the biggest and most exciting cricket leagues in the world. It is known for big money, star players, and exciting auctions. Since it began in 2008, the IPL has grown into the world’s most popular T20 cricket league. Each year, teams compete in the auction to acquire the best players, and some of these players have been sold for record amounts. These high-priced players are expected to make a significant impact on their teams. In this post, we will explore the most expensive IPL players in history from 2008 to 2025. This list illustrates how auction prices have increased over the years and how teams are willing to pay top dollar for the best players.
Disclaimer
The information in this post is based on official IPL auction results and publicly available sources. Prices are listed in INR and reflect the final auction amount at the time of each season. While we aim to keep the list accurate and updated till 2025, figures may slightly vary due to currency changes, team updates, or other factors. This article is meant for general reference only, and we do not take responsibility for any errors or outdated details.
How IPL Auctions Created the Most Expensive IPL Players in History
The IPL auction has changed a lot since 2008. In the early days, teams were careful with spending. But over time, prices went up, and many players became million-dollar buys. Let’s look at how the auction has evolved and helped create the most expensive IPL players in history.
Early Years (2008–2010)
In the first few seasons, teams were just getting started. They focused on building balanced squads with reliable Indian and overseas players. Spending was limited, and ₹10 crore buys were rare.
Growth Phase (2011–2016)
As the league grew, teams started paying more for star power. Players with strong performances in international cricket or past IPL seasons became top targets, and the prices began to climb steadily.
Big Spending Era (2017–2021)
During this time, we saw many ₹10 crore+ deals. Teams wanted impact players – especially all-rounders. The fight to get match-winners led to higher bids every year.
Record-Breaking Phase (2022–2025)
This period brought the most expensive IPL players in history. With new teams like Lucknow and Gujarat entering the league, competition grew stronger. Some players were sold for ₹20 crore or more.
Key Trends
– All-rounders usually get the highest bids
– Indian players are in high demand
– Recent performance greatly affects price
These trends show how the auction has grown and how it has helped create some of the most expensive IPL players in history.
List of Most Expensive IPL Players in History (2008–2025)
The IPL auction is always full of surprises, drama, and big spending. Every season, teams compete to sign the best players, and some of them end up becoming the highest-paid stars of that year. This list shows the most expensive IPL players in history, from 2008 to 2025.
These players were bought for huge amounts, breaking records and making headlines. The prices reflect not just talent but also form, fitness, and team strategy. Some names appear more than once, showing their consistent value. Take a look at the year-by-year list of the costliest IPL signings through the years.
Source: Instagram @Rishabpant
Rishabh Pant - The Most Expensive IPL Player in History
In the 2025 IPL auction, Rishabh Pant was sold to Lucknow Super Giants for a massive ₹27 crore, making him the most expensive IPL player in history. Rishabh Pant is a wicket-keeper batsman who has scored over 3,400 runs in the IPL, including a highest score of 128 not out, and has a strike rate above 140. He has also been a key player for India in Tests and limited-overs cricket, known for his fearless batting and sharp wicketkeeping.
Most Expensive IPL Players in All Seasons
| Year | Player Name | Price (INR) | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | MS Dhoni | ₹9.5 crore | Chennai Super Kings |
| 2009 | Kevin Pietersen | ₹9.8 crore | Royal Challengers Bangalore |
| 2010 | Shane Bond / Kieron Pollard | ₹4.8 crore | KKR / MI |
| 2011 | Gautam Gambhir | ₹14.9 crore | Kolkata Knight Riders |
| 2012 | Ravindra Jadeja | ₹12.8 crore | Chennai Super Kings |
| 2013 | Glenn Maxwell | ₹6.3 crore | Mumbai Indians |
| 2014 | Yuvraj Singh | ₹14 crore | Royal Challengers Bangalore |
| 2015 | Yuvraj Singh | ₹16 crore | Delhi Daredevils |
| 2016 | Shane Watson | ₹9.5 crore | Royal Challengers Bangalore |
| 2017 | Ben Stokes | ₹14.5 crore | Rising Pune Supergiant |
| 2018 | Ben Stokes | ₹12.5 crore | Rajasthan Royals |
| 2019 | Jaydev Unadkat / Varun Chakravarthy | ₹8.4 crore | Rajasthan Royals / Kings XI Punjab |
| 2020 | Pat Cummins | ₹15.5 crore | Kolkata Knight Riders |
| 2021 | Chris Morris | ₹16.25 crore | Rajasthan Royals |
| 2022 | Ishan Kishan | ₹15.25 crore | Mumbai Indians |
| 2023 | Sam Curran | ₹18.5 crore | Punjab Kings |
| 2024 | Mitchell Starc | ₹24.75 crore | Kolkata Knight Riders |
| 2025 | Rishab Pant | ₹27 crore | Lucknow Super Giants |
Top 5 Most Expensive IPL Players in History
Over the years, a few standout players have fetched record-breaking bids. Here are the top 5 most expensive IPL players in history, based on their auction prices.
- Rishabh Pant – ₹27 crore (2025) – Lucknow Super Giants
- Mitchell Starc – ₹24.75 crore (2024) – Kolkata Knight Riders
- Sam Curran – ₹18.5 crore (2023) – Punjab Kings
- Cameron Green – ₹17.5 crore (2023) – Mumbai Indians
- Ben Stokes – ₹16.25 crore (2023) – Chennai Super Kings
Only a few players have managed to top the auction charts more than once. Yuvraj Singh was the most expensive player in both 2014 and 2015, while Ben Stokes achieved the same in 2017 and 2018, showing their consistent demand and impact during their peak years.
Source: Instagram @yuvisofficial
Related Reading...
Top 5 Most Expensive Indian IPL Players
Indian players have attracted massive bids in the IPL. From rising stars like Ishan Kishan to proven match-winners like Rishabh Pant and Yuvraj Singh, these big-price tags reflect their value, popularity, and game-changing abilities in the league.
- Rishabh Pant – ₹27 crore (2025) – Lucknow Super Giants
- Ishan Kishan – ₹15.25 crore (2022) – Mumbai Indians
- Yuvraj Singh – ₹16 crore (2015) – Delhi Daredevils
- Ravindra Jadeja – ₹12.8 crore (2012) – Chennai Super Kings
- KL Rahul – ₹17 crore (2022) – Lucknow Super Giants
Source: Instagram @ishankishan23
Top 5 Most Expensive Foreign IPL Players
Foreign players have always added global flair and fierce competition to the IPL. These five cricketers stand out not just for their talent but also for the record-breaking bids they received at the auction table.
- Mitchell Starc – ₹24.75 crore (2024) – Kolkata Knight Riders
- Sam Curran – ₹18.5 crore (2023) – Punjab Kings
- Cameron Green – ₹17.5 crore (2023) – Mumbai Indians
- Ben Stokes – ₹16.25 crore (2023) – Chennai Super Kings
- Pat Cummins – ₹15.5 crore (2020) – Kolkata Knight Riders
Source: iplt20
Related Reading...
Most expensive IPL players in history - References
- Business Standard: Most expensive players bought over the years in IPL history
- Dream11: Most Expensive Players in IPL from 2008-2024
- ESPNcricinfo: Top Buys in IPL 2025 Auction: Most Expensive Players
Additional Reading
For further reading on Trusted Facts on Travel, Health, Sports, Tech etc., consider the following:
- 10 Best Fruits for Weight Loss & How to Eat Them for Fast Results
- Top 10 Best-Selling Books of All Time in the World History
- Walking Palm Tree – The Amazing Tree in the Rainforests
- Future Inventions That Could Change the World Forever
- 8 Chiranjeevis in Hinduism – Immortals (Chiranjivi) and Their Significance
