Since its explosive launch in 2008, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has not only revolutionized T20 cricket but also transformed the lives of players, many of whom became overnight millionaires. Every year, franchises break the bank to sign top international and Indian talent. Let’s take a journey through time and revisit the most expensive players in each IPL season.
🏏 2008 – MS Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings) – $1.5 million
In the inaugural season, Chennai Super Kings shelled out a record-breaking sum for India’s charismatic captain. Dhoni proved to be worth every penny, becoming the face of the franchise.
💰 2009 – Kevin Pietersen & Andrew Flintoff – $1.55 million
RCB and CSK made headlines by signing two England stars at the same price. Injuries and form, however, made their impact underwhelming that year.
🏹 2010 – Shane Bond & Kieron Pollard – $750,000
While the auction price was capped, both these stars went for the maximum. Pollard became a long-term asset for Mumbai Indians.
🔥 2011 – Gautam Gambhir (Kolkata Knight Riders) – $2.4 million
KKR reshaped their team with Gambhir at the helm. His leadership later brought them two titles (2012, 2014).
🎯 2012 – Ravindra Jadeja (Chennai Super Kings) – $2 million
CSK snagged the all-rounder in a fierce bidding war, adding depth to their already loaded squad.
💎 2013 – Glenn Maxwell (Mumbai Indians) – $1 million
Dubbed “Million Dollar Baby”, Maxwell’s debut season didn’t reflect his price tag, but his explosiveness was never in question.
🚀 2014 – Yuvraj Singh (Royal Challengers Bangalore) – ₹14 crore
RCB paid big for Yuvi, but critics questioned the ROI. His signing was a bold move, even if it didn’t quite pay off.
🧨 2015 – Yuvraj Singh (Delhi Daredevils) – ₹16 crore
Back-to-back record buys for Yuvraj. This remains one of IPL’s most debated signings given the price vs. performance.
💼 2016 – Shane Watson (Royal Challengers Bangalore) – ₹9.5 crore
Despite an injury-prone season, Watson’s all-round skills kept him in demand.
🔥 2017 – Ben Stokes (Rising Pune Supergiant) – ₹14.5 crore
The Englishman made an instant impact, justifying his price with match-winning knocks and tight bowling.
🌪️ 2018 – Ben Stokes (Rajasthan Royals) – ₹12.5 crore
Stokes repeated as the top buy, though his performances for RR that season were modest.
💣 2019 – Jaydev Unadkat & Varun Chakravarthy – ₹8.4 crore each
Two surprise picks shared the top spot. While Chakravarthy struggled with injuries, Unadkat couldn’t consistently impress.
🔝 2020 – Pat Cummins (Kolkata Knight Riders) – ₹15.5 crore
The Australian pacer became the most expensive overseas player in IPL history at the time.
💥 2021 – Chris Morris (Rajasthan Royals) – ₹16.25 crore
Morris set a new record and expectations soared. His all-round ability made him a high-stakes investment.
🧊 2022 – Ishan Kishan (Mumbai Indians) – ₹15.25 crore
MI went all-in on their wicketkeeper-batsman. Ishan was seen as a long-term bet post the mega auction reset.
💸 2023 – Sam Curran (Punjab Kings) – ₹18.5 crore
Curran became the most expensive player in IPL history, thanks to his all-round exploits in the 2022 T20 World Cup.
💰 2024 – Mitchell Starc (Kolkata Knight Riders) – ₹24.75 crore
Starc’s return to IPL was nothing short of blockbuster. KKR broke all records to bring the Aussie pacer back to the league.
🏆 2025 – Rishabh Pant (Lucknow Super Giants) – ₹27 crore
The biggest buy in IPL history! After a comeback season in 2024, Pant was snapped up by LSG for a jaw-dropping ₹27 crore. His leadership, power-hitting, and comeback narrative made him the most sought-after name of the year.
The title of “most expensive player” in the IPL comes with massive expectations and immense pressure. While some have risen to the occasion and delivered match-winning performances, others have struggled to justify the price tag. But one thing is certain—every IPL auction reminds us that in the world’s richest cricket league, talent always comes with a price.
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