The Indian Premier League has always grabbed global attention with its high-stakes player auctions. Every year, franchises compete fiercely to sign the best talent available. The bidding wars often push player prices to staggering heights. Right now, Rishabh Pant is the most expensive player in ipl history. Over the years, the IPL auction has seen record after record broken as teams invest heavily in match-winners and proven leaders.

From seasoned international stars to rising Indian talent, the auction room has witnessed some jaw-dropping bids. These record-breaking deals reflect the value that franchises place on skill, leadership, and the ability to change the course of a match. Here is a detailed look at the ten most expensive players ever sold at IPL auctions.

Top 10 Most Expensive Players in IPL Auction History

Here is the Complete Guide for the Most Expensive Player in IPL history.

1. Rishabh Pant – INR 27.00 Crore (Lucknow Super Giants, 2025)

Rishabh Pant holds the record for the highest bid at an IPL auction. Lucknow Super Giants signed the dynamic wicketkeeper-batter for INR 27 crore at the 2025 mega auction held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The bidding war for Pant started between LSG and Royal Challengers Bengaluru before Sunrisers Hyderabad joined the race. When the price reached INR 20.75 crore, the Delhi Capitals used their Right to Match card. However, LSG raised its offer to INR 27 crore, and DC decided not to match it.

Pant’s incredible journey back to the top after a life-threatening car accident in December 2022 made his signing even more remarkable. He played a key role in India’s 2024 T20 World Cup triumph and was named captain of LSG in January 2025. In IPL 2025, he scored 269 runs in 14 matches and smashed a brilliant century of 118 not out against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

2. Shreyas Iyer – INR 26.75 Crore (Punjab Kings, 2025)

Shreyas Iyer became the second most expensive player in IPL auction history when Punjab Kings secured his services for INR 26.75 crore at the 2025 mega auction. For a brief moment, his bid was the highest ever in the league before Pant’s price tag surpassed it just minutes later. Three franchises fought hard for Iyer. Kolkata Knight Riders opened the bidding to buy back their title-winning captain, but dropped out at INR 10 crore. Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings then drove the price to record territory.

Iyer led KKR to their third IPL title in 2024 and earned a strong reputation as a captain. Punjab Kings entered the auction with the largest purse of INR 110.5 crore and appointed Iyer as their new skipper. He reunited with head coach Ricky Ponting, with whom he had worked at Delhi Capitals. Under his leadership, Punjab Kings qualified for the playoffs for the first time since the 2014 season.

3. Cameron Green – INR 25.20 Crore (Kolkata Knight Riders, 2026)

Australian all-rounder Cameron Green became the most expensive overseas player in IPL history at the 2026 mini-auction. Kolkata Knight Riders bought him for INR 25.20 crore after a bidding war lasting more than 10 minutes and involving 113 paddle raises from four teams. Mumbai Indians placed the first bid for their former player before three other franchises entered the battle.

Green made his IPL debut in 2023, when MI bought him for INR 17.50 crore. He had a fantastic debut season, scoring 452 runs at a strike rate of 160.28 and picking up six wickets. MI later traded him to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where he scored 255 runs and took ten wickets in IPL 2024. He missed the 2025 mega auction because he was recovering from a back injury. Under the new auction rules, Green’s actual salary was capped at INR 18 crore, with the remaining amount going to the BCCI for player welfare.

4. Mitchell Starc – INR 24.75 Crore (Kolkata Knight Riders, 2024)

Mitchell Starc shattered all previous records when Kolkata Knight Riders bought him for INR 24.75 crore at the 2024 mini-auction. The Australian left-arm fast bowler had not played in the IPL since 2015, which made the bid even more surprising. KKR spent a massive 75.69% of their auction purse on Starc alone, beating Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians, and Gujarat Titans in the process.

The investment paid off handsomely. Starc played a crucial role in KKR’s title-winning campaign in IPL 2024. His three-wicket haul against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 1 knocked them out of the contest. He then delivered another match-winning spell in the final with figures of two wickets for just 14 runs, helping KKR lift their third IPL trophy.

5. Venkatesh Iyer – INR 23.75 Crore (Kolkata Knight Riders, 2025)

Venkatesh Iyer’s INR 23.75 crore price tag at the 2025 mega auction was the biggest surprise of the event. KKR fought hard against Royal Challengers Bengaluru to buy back the batting all-rounder. The fierce competition pushed his price well beyond what most experts had predicted. KKR’s most expensive retained player that season was Rinku Singh at INR 13 crore, yet they spent almost double that amount to secure Iyer at the auction.

Iyer had played a key role in KKR’s title-winning squad in 2024, strengthening their middle order alongside the captain. His ability to bat at different positions and contribute with left-arm spin made him a versatile option. However, at the 2026 mini-auction, he moved to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru for INR 7 crore.

6. Pat Cummins – INR 20.50 Crore (Sunrisers Hyderabad, 2024)

Pat Cummins became the first player in IPL auction history to cross the INR 20 crore mark at the 2024 mini-auction. His record lasted only a few minutes before Starc’s bid surpassed it. Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Sunrisers Hyderabad all competed for the Australian captain. RCB and SRH kept pushing the price higher until RCB finally backed down.

Cummins offered SRH a complete package of fast bowling, captaincy, and lower-order batting. He took 18 wickets during the IPL 2024 season and led SRH to the final for the first time since 2016. Although his economy rate of 9.27 was on the higher side, his leadership proved invaluable as he guided the team to a runners-up finish.

7. Sam Curran – INR 18.50 Crore (Punjab Kings, 2023)

Sam Curran set the benchmark for expensive IPL buys when Punjab Kings signed him for INR 18.50 crore ahead of the 2023 season. The England all-rounder broke Chris Morris’s previous record of INR 16.25 crore. Five franchises entered the bidding war for Curran. Mumbai Indians pushed the price to INR 18.25 crore in their attempt to pair him with Jofra Archer, but Punjab Kings ultimately won the battle.

Curran arrived at the auction on the back of a sensational 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, where he won the Player of the Tournament award. His left-arm seam bowling and aggressive lower-order batting made him a highly sought-after T20 cricketer. In IPL 2023, he scored 276 runs at a strike rate of 135.96 and continued to contribute with both bat and ball for PBKS. He also captained Punjab Kings in the following season.

8. Matheesha Pathirana – INR 18.00 Crore (Kolkata Knight Riders, 2026)

Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana became the second most expensive player at the 2026 mini-auction when KKR bought him for INR 18 crore. His bid stands as the highest ever for a player from Sri Lanka at an IPL auction. Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants kicked off the bidding. DC dropped out when the price crossed INR 15.6 crore, while KKR entered and pushed LSG out at INR 18 crore.

Pathirana had previously played for the Chennai Super Kings, who released him for INR 13 crore after the 2025 season. CSK chose not to bid for him at the 2026 auction. Known for his slingy action and ability to bowl lethal yorkers, Pathirana has earned comparisons to the legendary Lasith Malinga. His pace and skill at the death overs make him one of the most exciting young fast bowlers in world cricket.

9. Arshdeep Singh – INR 18.00 Crore (Punjab Kings, 2025)

Arshdeep Singh became the first Indian bowler to break Yuvraj Singh’s long-standing record of INR 16 crore at an IPL auction. Punjab Kings used their Right to Match card to retain the left-arm pacer for INR 18 crore at the 2025 mega auction. A total of seven franchises placed bids for Arshdeep, making him one of the most wanted players of the auction. Sunrisers Hyderabad pushed hard to sign him, but PBKS stood firm.

Arshdeep’s record held as the highest for an Indian player for only a few minutes before Shreyas Iyer and then Rishabh Pant surpassed it. The left-arm seamer has built a reputation as one of India’s finest death-overs specialists. His ability to nail yorkers under pressure and pick up wickets at crucial stages has made him a vital part of both India’s T20 setup and Punjab Kings’ bowling attack.

10. Yuzvendra Chahal – INR 18.00 Crore (Punjab Kings, 2025)

Yuzvendra Chahal wrote his name into the record books as the most expensive spin bowler in IPL auction history. Punjab Kings bought the leg-spinner for INR 18 crore at the 2025 mega auction. This was a massive jump from his previous IPL salary and showed how much franchises valued his wicket-taking ability in the middle overs.

Chahal has been one of the most consistent wicket-takers in IPL history and holds the record for the most wickets by a spinner in the tournament. His sharp leg-breaks and ability to deceive batters with flight and turn have made him a match-winner across multiple franchises. His move to the Punjab Kings added a strong spin threat to a team that was building a well-rounded squad under captain Shreyas Iyer.

Conclusion: Rishabh Pant Is The Most Expensive Player In IPL History

The IPL auction continues to redefine the value of cricket talent each year. What started with single-digit crore bids in 2008 has now reached heights that no one could have imagined. The ten players on this list represent the very best in modern cricket. They bring a mix of batting firepower, bowling skill, all-round ability, and leadership to their teams.

As the league grows and franchise revenues increase, these records will likely keep tumbling. Every mega auction brings new surprises, and the competition among ten wealthy franchises ensures that top players will always command premium prices. The IPL auction is no longer just a buying event. It is a spectacle that captures the imagination of cricket fans worldwide.