# IPL Auction: Most expensive players in each edition of the IPL auctions [UPDATED] URL: https://technosports.co.in/ipl-auction-most-expensive-players-each-ipl/ Published: 2026-06-06 Updated: 2026-06-06 Author: Swagata Choudhury The [IPL](https://www.google.co.in/search?q=IPL&sxsrf=APq-WBsfut0Cns80oOgf1BP5pBuy9YLxYg%3A1644672838403&source=hp&ei=RrcHYuOjFo_FhwOhq4zADA&iflsig=AHkkrS4AAAAAYgfFVklUKgv2u7zuYR1CxoejSaKiGdEB&ved=0ahUKEwjj3rXio_r1AhWP4mEKHaEVA8gQ4dUDCAc&uact=5&oq=IPL&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAMyBAgjECcyBAgjECcyBAgjECcyCwgAEIAEELEDEIMBMggIABCxAxCDATILCC4QgAQQsQMQgwEyCAgAELEDEIMBMgsIABCABBCxAxCDATIICAAQsQMQgwEyCwgAEIAEELEDEIMBOhEILhCABBCxAxCDARDHARDRA1AAWIIEYJsGaABwAHgAgAGcAYgBqgOSAQMwLjOYAQCgAQE&sclient=gws-wiz) mega Auction has started taking place and the IPL auctions have attracted the eyeballs as several players seal million-dollar deals in the Indian market. [MS Dhoni](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MS_Dhoni) first was picked up by [Chennai Super Kings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chennai_Super_Kings) for **1.5 million dollars**. > [pic.twitter.com/5wKdHB4oLl](https://t.co/5wKdHB4oLl) > > — CricTracker (@Cricketracker) [December 20, 2023](https://x.com/Cricketracker/status/1737348605810462898?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) ## ***IPL Auction: Check out the most expensive buys in each edition of the IPL auctions:*** ### **IPL 2008: MS Dhoni – 1.5 million ** ![Ms dhoni](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/MS-Dhoni-1-1024x683.webp) ***MS Dhoni*** [MS Dhoni](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MS_Dhoni) was the costliest player in the first edition of IPL. He was bought by [CSK](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chennai_Super_Kings) management for a whopping amount of 1.5 million. ### **IPL 2009: Kevin Pietersen & Andrew Flintoff – 1.55 million ** In the second edition of IPL, RCB bought [Kevin Pieterson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Pietersen) for 1.55 million and on the other hand, Chennai Super Kings ([CSK](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chennai_Super_Kings)) bought English player [Andrew Flintoff](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Flintoff) for the same amount. ### **IPL 2010: Kieron Pollard & Shane Bond – 750,000 ** In the year 2010, [Kieron Pollard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kieron_Pollard) was bought by[Mumbai Indians](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mumbai_Indians) and [Shane Bond](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shane_Bond) was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for 750,000. Both were at different stages of their careers but ended up being expensive buys of the two franchises. ### **IPL 2011- Gautam Gambhir – 2.4 million ** ![](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Gautam-Gambhir.webp) ***Gautam Gambhir*** In 2011, [Gautam Gambhir](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gautam_Gambhir) had a terrific performance in the 2011 World Cup that attracted a lot of eyeballs. [KKR](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolkata_Knight_Riders)was looking for a skipper and at that time he was bought for 2.4 million and was made the captain of the franchise as well. ### **IPL 2012 – Ravindra Jadeja – 2 million** [Ravindra Jadeja](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ravindra_Jadeja) had a spectacular performance in the domestic circuit for the Indian cricket team as an all-rounder. In 2012, he was snapped for 2 million by CSK. In 2022 he was retained for a price of INR 16 crore by the franchise. ### **IPL 2013 – Glenn Maxwell – 1 million** This overseas player was snapped by [Mumbai Indians](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mumbai_Indians) for one million though the player didn’t stay in the team for a long period and he got released in the next auction. ### **IPL 2014- Yuvraj Singh – 14 crores** ![](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Yuvraj-Singh-RCB-1024x740.jpg) ***Yuvraj Singh*** After winning the battle with cancer, [Yuvraj Singh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuvraj_Singh) was snapped by Royal Challengers Bangalore for 14 crores. ### **IPL 2015- Yuvraj Singh – 16 crores** In 2015, [Yuvraj Singh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuvraj_Singh) was released by the franchise since his stay wasn’t fruitful. This time he broke his own record and was bought by Delhi Daredevils for a whopping amount of 16 crores. ### **IPL 2016 – Shane Watson – 9.5 crores** ![](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Shane-Watson.avif) ***Shane Watson*** In 2016, [Shane Watson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shane_Watson)was snapped by the franchise for a whopping amount of 9.5 crores and RCB did reach the finale in that year but he couldn’t perform well. In the next year, he was released by the team. ### **IPL 2017 – Ben Stokes –  14.5 Crores** In 2017, Ben Stokes entered the IPL and quickly rose to prominence as a top all-rounder, attracting considerable interest from franchises. Rising Pune Supergiants ultimately secured his services with a lucrative 14.5 crore bid. ### **IPL 2018- Ben Stokes – 12.5 Crores** In 2018 after making a comeback from the ban, Rajasthan Royals managed to get Ben Stokes for 12.5 crores. ### **IPL 2019 – Varun Chakravarthy & Jaydev Unadkat – 8.4 crores** [Varun Chakravarthy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varun_Chakravarthy) was picked by Kings XI Punjab for 8.4 crores in the 2019 auction. Jaydhev Unadket on the other hand was a surprise pick for 8.4 crores by the Rajasthan Royals. ### **IPL 2020 – Pat Cummins – 15.5 crore** Pat Cummins created history by becoming the most expensive player in the history of IPL auction as Kolkata Knight Riders snapped him for 15.5 crores. ### **IPL 2021 – Chris Morris – 16.25 crores** In the very next year, Chris Morris broke Pat Cummins record and became the most expensive buy in the IPL auctions. He was bought by Rajasthan Royals at INR 16.25 crores. In that year, he scored 67 runs picking up 15 wickets but on 11th January 2022, he retired from every format of cricket. ### **IPL 2022 – Ishan Kishan – 15.25 crores** ![Ishan Kishan](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Ishan-Kishan-1024x576.jpg) Ishan Kishan’s IPL 2022 was a mixed bag. Despite being Mumbai Indians’ most expensive buy at a whopping 15.25 crores, his performance didn’t quite live up to the price tag. He managed 358 runs in 14 matches, averaging 25.57, with a single half-century as his highest score. While there were flashes of brilliance, consistency was a struggle. ### **IPL 2023 – Sam Curran – 18.5 crores** Sam Curran’s IPL 2023 was a tale of two halves. He arrived as the most expensive player in tournament history, bought by Punjab Kings for a staggering 18.5 crore after his Player of the Tournament performance in the T20 World Cup. ### **IPL 2024 – Mitchell Starc – 24.75 crores** ![IPL Auction: Check out the most expensive players in each edition of the IPL auctions](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/F5ZANKtbMAArJ1e-1024x710.jpg) *Mitchell Starc* Mitchell Starc’s jaw-dropping auction price has sent shockwaves through the cricket world. Kolkata Knight Riders made a bold statement by securing the Australian fast-bowling sensation for an unprecedented ₹24.75 crore, making him the most expensive player in the auction’s history. More than just a financial milestone, this signing has ignited fans’ imaginations, with everyone wondering if Starc’s lethal left-arm swing can transform KKR’s fortunes. It’s not just a player acquisition – it’s a potential game-changing moment that promises to add extra excitement to the upcoming season. ### IPL 2025 – Rishabh Pant – 27 crores Lucknow Super Giants secured one of India’s best wicketkeeper batsmen for a whopping INR 27 crores. ![](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Why-Cameron-Greens-IPL-Pay-Is-₹18-Crore-Not-₹25.2-Crore-1024x576.webp) ### IPL 2026 – Cameroon Green – 25.20 crores KKR has broken their previous record and went for Cameroon Green for INR 25.20 crores breaking their previous record of INR 24.75 crores for Mitchell Starc in IPL 2024. ## FAQ ### Who is the most expensive buy in the IPL 2026 auction? Cameroon Green by KKR for INR 25.20 crores **Read more: [Top 10 Most Expensive IPL team franchises](https://technosports.co.in/top-10-most-expensive-ipl-team-franchises/)**