The Indian Premier League is not just the biggest cricket league in the world—it is also one of the most aggressive sporting auctions ever created. Every year, franchises enter high-stakes bidding wars to secure match-winners, future superstars, and brand-boosting icons. Over the years, these auctions have shattered price records, with franchises spending jaw-dropping amounts on a single player.
In this detailed guide, we present the most expensive buy in the auction history of every IPL team, based on official auction records up to the latest confirmed mega auctions. This complete team-wise list highlights how the league’s financial power has evolved and which players commanded record-breaking prices.
How IPL Auction Prices Have Reached Record Highs
The IPL auction has transformed dramatically since 2008. Early seasons saw top players being bought for a few crores. Today, elite all-rounders, fast bowlers, and explosive batters regularly cross ₹15 crore—and sometimes even ₹25 crore. The reasons behind these rising prices include:
- The IPL’s massive global broadcast revenue
- Increased franchise valuations
- Demand for multi-skill players
- Scarcity of elite Indian and overseas match-winners
- Strategic mega auctions that reset team cores
Now, let’s break down the most expensive player ever bought by each IPL franchise.
How IPL Auction Prices Have Reached Record Highs
The IPL auction has transformed dramatically since 2008. Early seasons saw top players being bought for a few crores. Today, elite all-rounders, fast bowlers, and explosive batters regularly cross ₹15 crore—and sometimes even ₹25 crore. The reasons behind these rising prices include:
- The IPL’s massive global broadcast revenue
- Increased franchise valuations
- Demand for multi-skill players
- Scarcity of elite Indian and overseas match-winners
- Strategic mega auctions that reset team cores
Now, let’s break down the most expensive player ever bought by each IPL franchise.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) – ₹16.25 Crore
Player: Ben Stokes
Auction Year: 2023
CSK’s costliest purchase came when they signed England’s star all-rounder Ben Stokes. Known for his match-winning temperament in big games, Stokes was bought to provide explosive middle-order batting and leadership depth. Though his IPL career has been injury-affected, his price reflected his global stature.
Mumbai Indians (MI) – ₹17.50 Crore
Player: Cameron Green
Auction Year: 2023
Mumbai Indians broke their own spending limits to acquire Australian all-rounder Cameron Green. His fast-bowling ability combined with powerful batting made him one of the hottest property at the auction. The investment also showed MI’s long-term planning beyond their core Indian players.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) – ₹24.75 Crore
Player: Mitchell Starc
Auction Year: 2024
KKR created history by signing Mitchell Starc for ₹24.75 crore—the most expensive player ever in IPL history. The franchise desperately needed a lethal left-arm fast bowler, and Starc’s ability to dominate powerplays and death overs justified the record-breaking amount.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) – ₹17.00 Crore
Player: Chris Morris
Auction Year: 2020
Before Starc and Cummins, Chris Morris once held the record for the highest IPL auction price. RCB paid ₹17 crore for the South African all-rounder based on his power-hitting and death-over bowling credentials. Injuries later limited his impact, making this one of the most debated buys.
Delhi Capitals (DC) – ₹16.25 Crore
Player: Rishabh Pant
Auction Year: 2018
Delhi Capitals made a bold long-term investment by retaining Rishabh Pant at a massive price early in his career. That decision paid off as Pant became one of India’s most explosive wicket-keeper batters and later the franchise captain.
Rajasthan Royals (RR) – ₹16.25 Crore
Player: Chris Morris
Auction Year: 2021
After RCB, Rajasthan Royals outbid everyone to sign Chris Morris again—this time for ₹16.25 crore. His all-round abilities were expected to transform RR’s balance, and he also became the most expensive player in RR history.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) – ₹20.50 Crore
Player: Pat Cummins
Auction Year: 2024
SRH made headlines by buying Australian captain Pat Cummins for ₹20.5 crore. The move was aimed not only at strengthening their pace attack but also at bringing global leadership presence into the squad. Cummins instantly became the franchise’s biggest ever purchase.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) – ₹18.50 Crore
Player: Sam Curran
Auction Year: 2023
Punjab Kings shattered all expectations by paying ₹18.5 crore for Sam Curran, making him the most expensive player at the time. His ability to contribute in all three departments—batting, bowling, and fielding—made him a perfect franchise cornerstone.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) – ₹17.00 Crore
Player: Nicholas Pooran
Auction Year: 2023
LSG invested heavily in explosive West Indies batter Nicholas Pooran. His ability to destroy bowling attacks in the middle overs made him their costliest purchase. The price reflected the growing importance of power hitters in modern IPL strategy.
Gujarat Titans (GT) – ₹18.00 Crore
Player: Hardik Pandya
Auction Year: 2022 (Draft Value Equivalent)
Although Gujarat Titans built their first squad through a draft system, Hardik Pandya’s valuation was equivalent to a top-tier auction price. As captain and all-rounder, he led the team to an IPL title in their debut season, making the valuation instantly justified.
Deccan Chargers (Defunct) – ₹9.50 Crore
Player: Kevin Pietersen
Auction Year: 2009
Before the franchise was dissolved, Deccan Chargers made Kevin Pietersen their most expensive purchase. His reputation as an explosive batter and England captain made him a premium signing during the early IPL years.
Rising Pune Supergiant (Defunct) – ₹14.00 Crore
Player: MS Dhoni (Retention Value)
Season: 2016
Although not bought in a direct auction, MS Dhoni’s valuation as Pune’s marquee player effectively made him their most expensive player. His leadership turned the franchise into a title contender in just two seasons.
Gujarat Lions (Defunct) – ₹9.70 Crore
Player: Dwayne Bravo
Auction Year: 2016
Gujarat Lions signed Dwayne Bravo as their costliest player. His all-round impact, particularly with death-over bowling and power-hitting, made him a vital asset during the franchise’s short IPL tenure.
Most Expensive Buys in Each Team’s IPL Auction History (With Auction Price)
| Teams | Season | Player | Nationality | Auction Price (₹ Crore) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chennai Super Kings (CSK) | 2023 | Ben Stokes | England | 16.25 |
| Mumbai Indians (MI) | 2023 | Cameron Green | Australia | 17.50 |
| Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) | 2024 | Mitchell Starc | Australia | 24.75 |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) | 2020 | Chris Morris | South Africa | 17.00 |
| Delhi Capitals (DC) | 2018 | Rishabh Pant | India | 16.25 |
| Rajasthan Royals (RR) | 2021 | Chris Morris | South Africa | 16.25 |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) | 2024 | Pat Cummins | Australia | 20.50 |
| Punjab Kings (PBKS) | 2023 | Sam Curran | England | 18.50 |
| Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) | 2023 | Nicholas Pooran | West Indies | 16.00 |
| Gujarat Titans (GT) | 2022 | Hardik Pandya | India | 15.00 |
| Deccan Chargers (Defunct) | 2009 | Kevin Pietersen | England | 9.50 |
| Rising Pune Supergiant (Defunct) | 2016 | MS Dhoni | India | 12.50 |
| Gujarat Lions (Defunct) | 2016 | Dwayne Bravo | West Indies | 9.50 |
Why Teams Spend So Much on Certain Players
Franchises are willing to pay premium prices for players who offer:
- Multi-skill value (batting + bowling + fielding)
- Leadership qualities
- Proven international performance
- Ability to perform under pressure
- Commercial and brand influence
Fast bowlers, elite all-rounders, and explosive middle-order batters command the highest prices because they influence matches consistently across seasons.
How These Expensive Buys Have Shaped IPL History
Some high-value purchases transformed their franchises instantly—like Hardik Pandya for Gujarat Titans and Mitchell Starc for KKR. Others delivered mixed results due to injuries or inconsistent form. However, these record-breaking buys reflect each franchise’s ambition to win championships rather than just build squads.
Final Thoughts
The IPL auction is where cricketing skill meets business strategy. Each franchise’s most expensive buy tells a unique story of risk, ambition, and long-term vision. As broadcast revenues and franchise valuations continue to grow, these records are likely to be broken again in future mega auctions.