Top 10 Costliest Players in Indian Premier League History (Updated 2026)

Introduction

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has always been known for its thrilling cricket and record-breaking auctions. Every year franchises compete to sign the best players, sometimes paying massive sums that rewrite the league’s financial history.

The costliest players in Indian Premier League history highlight how valuable top-performing cricketers have become in the modern T20 era. From explosive batsmen to elite all-rounders, IPL teams invest heavily in players who can change matches instantly.

With the 2026 IPL auction, several new names have entered the list of the most expensive signings. In this article, we explore the Top 10 Costliest Players in Indian Premier League History (Updated 2026) along with their auction price, team, and impact on the tournament.

Top 10 Costliest Players in Indian Premier League History

Below is the updated list after the 2026 IPL Auction.

1. Mitchell Starc – ₹24.75 Crore

Team: Kolkata Knight RidersYear: 2024

Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc currently holds the record for being the most expensive player in IPL history. During the 2024 IPL auction, Kolkata Knight Riders paid a staggering ₹24.75 crore to bring him back into the league.

His ability to bowl lethal yorkers and swing the new ball makes him one of the most valuable T20 bowlers in the world.

2. Pat Cummins – ₹20.50 Crore

Team: Sunrisers HyderabadYear: 2024

Australian captain Pat Cummins became the second most expensive player in IPL history when Sunrisers Hyderabad signed him for ₹20.50 crore.

His all-round ability, leadership skills, and pace bowling made him one of the most sought-after players in the IPL auction.

3. Sam Curran – ₹18.50 Crore

Team: Punjab KingsYear: 2023

England all-rounder Sam Curran was the costliest player in the 2023 IPL auction. Punjab Kings secured him for ₹18.50 crore after an intense bidding war.

Curran is known for his power hitting, swing bowling, and exceptional finishing abilities.

4. Cameron Green – ₹17.50 Crore

Team: Mumbai IndiansYear: 2023

Australian all-rounder Cameron Green attracted huge interest in the 2023 auction due to his incredible potential as a power hitter and fast bowler.

Mumbai Indians purchased him for ₹17.50 crore, making him one of the most expensive young players in IPL history.

5. Ben Stokes – ₹16.25 Crore

Team: Chennai Super KingsYear: 2023

England Test captain Ben Stokes joined Chennai Super Kings for ₹16.25 crore. Known for his match-winning performances, Stokes has consistently been a premium pick in IPL auctions.

6. Nicholas Pooran – ₹16 Crore

Team: Lucknow Super GiantsYear: 2023

West Indies wicketkeeper-batsman Nicholas Pooran was signed by Lucknow Super Giants for ₹16 crore due to his explosive batting and finishing skills.

7. Yuvraj Singh – ₹16 Crore

Team: Delhi DaredevilsYear: 2015

Indian legend Yuvraj Singh was one of the earliest big-money players in IPL auctions. Delhi Daredevils paid ₹16 crore for him in 2015, which was a massive amount at the time.

8. Ishan Kishan – ₹15.25 Crore

Team: Mumbai IndiansYear: 2022

Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan became the most expensive Indian player during the 2022 IPL auction when Mumbai Indians bought him for ₹15.25 crore.

9. Kyle Jamieson – ₹15 Crore

Team: Royal Challengers BangaloreYear: 2021

New Zealand pacer Kyle Jamieson was purchased by Royal Challengers Bangalore for ₹15 crore during the 2021 auction.

10. Deepak Chahar – ₹14 Crore

Team: Chennai Super KingsYear: 2022

Indian swing bowler Deepak Chahar returned to Chennai Super Kings for ₹14 crore in the 2022 auction, becoming one of the most expensive Indian bowlers in IPL history.

Why IPL Auctions Produce Costliest Players in Indian Premier League History

Several factors influence why franchises spend massive amounts in IPL auctions:

• Player performance in international cricket• All-round abilities• Brand value and popularity• Team strategy and squad balance• Demand and bidding competition

These elements make the costliest players in Indian Premier League history some of the most impactful stars in the tournament.

How IPL Auction Prices Have Increased Over the Years

The IPL auction market has grown dramatically since 2008. In early seasons, players rarely crossed ₹10 crore, but today the record exceeds ₹24 crore.

This increase reflects:

• IPL’s global popularity• Massive broadcasting deals• Franchise sponsorship revenue• Growing demand for elite T20 players

Because of this financial growth, the costliest players in Indian Premier League history will likely break new records in upcoming seasons.

Conclusion

The IPL auction remains one of the most exciting parts of the tournament, where franchises invest millions to secure match-winning players. From Mitchell Starc’s record-breaking ₹24.75 crore deal to emerging stars commanding huge bids, the list of costliest players in Indian Premier League history continues to evolve.

With the IPL growing every season, fans can expect even bigger auction records in the future.