Over the years, the IPL has not only been a platform for rising stars and standout performances but also a reflection of how much teams are willing to spend on players to meet their demands - while some have lived up to the billing with match-winning contributions, others have found it difficult to justify the cost.
We take a look at the most expensive players in each IPL auction and how they fared that year.
*The currency used during the IPL auction changed from USD to INR in 2014
2008 - USD 1.5 million
MS Dhoni (CSK) - 414 runs @ 41.40, SR: 133.54
Chennai Super Kings were one of the three teams without an icon player in the first IPL auction, leaving them in search of a leader. MS Dhoni, fresh off India’s T20 World Cup triumph, was in high demand and was eventually secured after a bidding war. The wicketkeeper finished among the top ten run-scorers that season, but his value extended far beyond it. Dhoni soon became synonymous with the franchise, representing them in every season of their existence, leading them to five titles and two Champions League triumphs.
2009 - USD 1.55 million
Kevin Pietersen (RCB): 93 runs @ 15.50, SR: 109.41
Andrew Flintoff (CSK): 62 runs @ 31, SR: 116.98; 2 wickets @ 52.50, ER: 9.54
The build-up around the two England players ended in an anti-climax, as both delivered underwhelming returns in their limited appearances. Available only for the first three weeks due to England’s prior commitments, their participation was cut short further when Andrew Flintoff’s campaign ended early with a knee injury. Kevin Pietersen, who captained Royal Challengers Bangalore that season, also failed to make a notable impact before returning for national duty. Flintoff’s injury, meanwhile, led to significant friction between the ECB and the IPL.
2010 - USD 750,000
Shane Bond (KKR) - 9 wickets @ 24.88, ER: 7.22
Kieron Pollard (MI) - 273 runs @ 22.75, SR: 185.71; 15 wickets @ 18.26, ER: 7.40
After ending his association with the rival ICL, Shane Bond entered the 2010 auction as a marquee name and was picked for $750,000, the joint-highest bid alongside Kieron Pollard. He had an impactful season, but retired soon after, not returning for the 2011 edition.
Pollard, signed by the Mumbai Indians via a tie-breaker for the same amount, had a slow start but produced a decisive semi-final performance, scoring 33 not out off 13 balls and taking 3 for 17. It set the tone for a long-standing association with the franchise that still continues to exist, albeit in a different form.
2011 - USD 2.4 million
Gautam Gambhir (KKR) - 378 runs @ 34.36, SR: 119.24
Gambhir’s entry into KKR was marked by disappointment on all sides: he had just been released by his home franchise, Delhi Daredevils, while the KKR fans were discontent with the decision to part ways with Sourav Ganguly. However, Gambhhir moved past the backlash and warmed up to the fans after leading the team to their first play-offs that year. KKR won two titles in the next three seasons under him before eventually parting ways in 2018. Gambhir returned as a mentor in 2024, overseeing a third trophy.
2012 - USD 2 million
Ravindra Jadeja (CSK) - 191 runs @ 15.91, SR: 126.49; 12 wickets @ 22.75, ER: 7.80
Acquired via a tie-breaker after an impressive season for Kochi in 2011, Jadeja quickly justified the investment, playing a key all-round role throughout the season. Nicknamed ‘Rockstar” by Shane Warne during his time in Rajasthan Royals, Jadeja lived up to the hype, becoming the first bowler to claim 10 wickets for CSK in a single season. His stint with the franchise lasted until 2025 (except for the two-year gap in between when CSK were banned), after which he moved to Rajasthan this year.
IPL teams have not shied away from splurging ahead of each season 💸
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) April 13, 2026
But which players have lived up to the expectations? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/TAeBF2Nv2s
2013 - USD 1 million
Glenn Maxwell (MI) - 36 runs @ 18, SR: 133.33
Maxwell arrived at the Mumbai Indians shortly after his international debut. However, opportunities were limited, and Maxwell got to feature in just three matches during the 2013 season. He went on to win the title, but was released after a quiet campaign. Next year, he was picked up by Kings XI Punjab, where he would go on to enjoy a breakthrough season.
2014 - INR 14 crore
Yuvraj Singh (RCB) - 376 runs @ 34.18, SR: 135.25; 5 wickets @ 37.40, ER: 8.25
Yuvraj Singh entered the 2014 auction on the back of a modest season, averaging 19.83 with a strike rate of 125 in 2013. Despite this, RCB invested heavily in one of India’s proven match-winners, and he responded with his most productive IPL campaign. Yuvraj smashed 28 sixes, the most he hit in a single season, while also recording his highest run tally and best strike rate in a year. Yet despite his individual success, it was not enough to retain him.
2015 - INR 16 crore
Yuvraj Singh (DC) - 248 runs @ 19.07, SR: 118.09; 1 wicket @ 72, ER: 8
Yuvraj once again dominated the headlines in 2015, becoming the most expensive player for a second successive season. However, unlike the previous year, his returns were inconsistent, as he struggled to justify the hefty price tag. While he produced a couple of notable half-centuries, his overall impact remained limited throughout the campaign. Delhi, too, endured a difficult season, finishing seventh. Yuvraj was released after their campaign that year.
2016 - INR 9.5 crore
Shane Watson (RCB) - 179 runs @ 13.76, SR: 133.58; 20 wickets @ 24.25, ER: 8.58
Shane Watson entered the 2016 season as one of the most high-profile signings, joining Royal Challengers Bangalore after the Rajasthan Royals’ suspension, for whom he had been their go-to player. While his batting returns were modest, he played a crucial role with the ball, picking up 20 wickets in 16 matches and emerging as one of RCB’s most reliable bowlers through the campaign, including a four-wicket haul in the Qualifier that helped them reach the final. However, the season ended on a disappointing note. In the final against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Watson conceded 61 runs in four overs, including 24 in the final over, as RCB fell short. He later apologised to the fans for his performance.
2017 - INR 14.50 crore
Ben Stokes (Rising Pune Supergiant) - 316 runs @ 31.60, SR: 142.98; 12 wickets @ 26.33, ER: 7.18
One of the rare high-value players who lived up to the hype, Ben Stokes justified his price tag with a transformative 2017 campaign for Rising Pune Supergiant. His unbeaten 103 off 63 balls against Gujarat Lions rescued a collapsing innings, while figures of 3-18 against Royal Challengers Bangalore underlined his all-round prowess. Despite leaving before the playoffs, his influence was undeniable, culminating in him being named the season’s Most Valuable Player.
2018 - INR 12.50 crore
Ben Stokes (Rajasthan Royals) - 196 runs @ 16.33, SR: 121.73; 8 wickets @ 37.87, ER: 8.18
For the second successive year, Ben Stokes entered the auction as the most expensive buy, but the 2018 season proved underwhelming. He failed to register a single half-century, struggling to replicate his previous impact with the bat. His standout moment came with figures of 3-15 against the Kolkata Knight Riders, albeit in a losing cause. An early departure for international duty further curtailed his campaign, as he missed the business end of the tournament, including the playoffs.
2019 - INR 8.40 crore
Jaydev Unadkat (Rajasthan Royals) - 10 wickets @ 39.80, ER: 10.66
Varun Chakravarthy (Kings XI Punjab) - 1 wicket @ 35.00, ER: 11.66
After being released following his ₹11.5 crore deal, Jaydev Unadkat was re-signed by Rajasthan Royals in 2019, making him the joint-most expensive buy alongside Varun Chakravarthy. However, Unadkat endured an underwhelming season, with his only standout display being a match-winning 2-26 against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Chakravarthy’s campaign, meanwhile, lasted just one game, where he conceded 35 runs in three overs, before a finger injury ruled him out for the rest of the tournament, curtailing a highly anticipated debut season.
2020 - INR 15.50 crore
Pat Cummins (Kolkata Knight Riders) - 12 wickets @ 34.08, ER: 7.86
Despite a rough start, conceding 49 runs in just three overs against the Mumbai Indians, Pat Cummins gradually justified his price tag for the Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2020. He finished as their lead pacer with 12 wickets in 14 matches, including a best of 4-34 against the Rajasthan Royals. With the bat, he added 146 runs, highlighted by an unbeaten 56* in just 15 balls against the Mumbai Indians, but KKR could not reach the playoffs that season.
2021 - INR 16.25 crore
Chris Morris (Rajasthan Royals) - 15 wickets @ 25.06, ER: 9.17
Chris Morris became the most expensive player in IPL history in 2021, with Rajasthan Royals securing him after an intense bidding war, surpassing Yuvraj Singh’s previous record. While his overall season was mixed, he delivered a memorable match-winning performance against the Delhi Capitals, smashing an unbeaten 36 off 18 balls to seal a dramatic chase. Soon after the season, Morris brought the curtain down on his career, announcing his retirement from all forms of cricket.
2022 - INR 15.25 crore
Ishan Kishan (Mumbai Indians) - 418 runs @ 32.15, SR: 120.11
Ishan Kishan returned to the Mumbai Indians in 2022 as the most expensive buy of the mega auction, but struggled to fully justify the hype. While he finished as the team’s leading run-scorer with 418 runs in 14 matches, his strike rate of 120.11 drew consistent criticism. An unbeaten 81 off 48 balls against Delhi Capitals marked his best outing, yet his overall impact remained subdued as Mumbai endured a disappointing campaign, finishing at the bottom of the table.
2023 - INR 18.50 crore
Sam Curran (Punjab Kings) - 276 runs @ 27.60, SR: 135.96; 10 wickets @ 48.90, ER: 10.22
Sam Curran became the most expensive player in IPL history in 2023 following his Player of the Tournament heroics at the 2022 T20 World Cup. Returning to the Punjab franchise, he featured in 14 matches and also stepped in as captain in the absence of Shikhar Dhawan, though his performances did not consistently match the weight of expectations attached to his record-breaking price tag.
2024 - INR 24.75 crore
Mitchell Starc (Kolkata Knight Riders) - 17 wickets @ 26.11, ER: 10.61
Mitchell Starc had a mixed IPL season, but he peaked at the right time. After conceding 100 runs without a wicket in his first two games and going at 11.78 in the first half, he turned things around in the playoffs. He picked up 3-34 in Qualifier 1, including dismissing Travis Head early, and followed it with 2-14 in the final, as KKR won their third title. He was named Player of the Match in both games, becoming the first player to achieve that double in a single season.
2025 - INR 27 crore
Rishabh Pant (Lucknow Super Giants) - 269 runs @ 24.45, SR: 133.17
Rishabh Pant endured a disappointing IPL 2025 after becoming the most expensive player in league history. He managed 269 runs in 14 matches, of which 118 came in a single innings against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, highlighting a lack of consistency across the season. As captain, his campaign mirrored his batting returns, with LSG finishing seventh.
2026 - INR 25.20 crore
Cameron Green (Kolkata Knight Riders) - 56 runs* @ 18.66, SR: 147.36; 1 wicket* @ 28, ER: 14
*As of April 14, 2026
Cameron Green has had a quiet start to the season, managing 56 runs in four innings. A minor lower-back issue limited him to a specialist batting role in the first three matches. He returned to bowling in the clash against Lucknow Super Giants, picking up 1-28 in two overs.
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