The IPL is the oldest T20I Cricket league In the world. It is also the most valuable and where the best come to play and test themselves against the best in the world. There has been an Auction every year. Mega auctions happen once every 3 years but a mini auction happens every year like the one which will be held on 16th December.
Let’s look at the Most Expensive Player in Every IPL Auction since 2008
2008 – MS Dhoni (6 Crores)
Chennai Super Kings paid 6 Crores in 2008 to acquire the services of MS Dhoni and that partnership is one of the defining ones of the IPL. And maybe in 2026 this partnership could come to an end with retirement. MS Dhoni has led CSK to 5 IPL trophies.
2009 – Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff (7.55 Crores)
In 2009, there were 2 Players that were the highest paid players in the Auction. Both of them were the best of England. Kevin Pietersen was bought by RCB and Andrew Flintoff by CSK.
2010 – Shane Bond and Kieron Pollard (4.80 Crores)
In 2010, there were also 2 players who were the most expensive players at the Auction. Shane Bond was bought by KKR and Kieron Pollard by Mumbai Indians. And that partnership resulted in 5 trophies for Mumbai Indians. They were inseparable and he is one of the greatest.
2011 – Gautam Gambhir (11.04 Crores)
Gautam Gambhir was the highest paid player at the 2011 Mega Auction. He was bought by KKR and that partnership resulted in 2 trophies as the captain of KKR. He played there for 7 seasons. He changed the face and reputation of KKR.
2012 – Ravindra Jadeja (12.80 Crores)
In 2012 Ravindra Jadeja was the highest paid player in the IPL Auction. He was bought by CSK for a whopping 12.80 Crores. He was one of the best in the world and that relationship was there for 13 years. He won 3 trophies with CSK.
2013 – Glenn Maxwell (6.30 Crores)
This was the time that Glenn Maxwell was the rising star in world cricket. He was bought by Mumbai Indians but he did not play many seasons there. Glenn Maxwell has been a curious case in the IPL.
2014 – Yuvraj Singh (14 Crores)
The year 2014 was about Yuvraj Singh. He was the highest paid player at the IPL Auction and was bought by RCB. However it was not a successful partnership and he was released the next year.
2015 – Yuvraj Singh (16 Crores)
In 2015 again it was Yuvraj Singh who was the most expensive player at IPL Auction. This time he was bought by Delhi Daredevils at the time. He was also not able to perform to the expectations that were there.
2016 – Shane Watson (9.50 Crores)
In 2016 the most expensive player at IPL Auction was below 10 Crores. Shane Watson was bought by the RCB for 9.50 Crores. Shane Watson would go on to be an IPL legend.
2017 – Ben Stokes (14.50 Crores)
Ben Stokes was the toast of the cricketing world at that time and in 2017 Rising Pune Supergiants paid a massive amount of 14.50 Crores for Ben Stokes but he was only there for one season. RSP reached the final in 2017 as well.
2018 – Ben Stokes (12.50 Crores)
Like Yuvraj Singh was the highest paid player at IPL Auction in 2014 and 15, it was time for Ben Stokes to go back to back. This time he was paid 12.50 Crores by Rajasthan Royals.
2019 – Jaydev Unadkat and Varun Chakravarthy
In 2019 it was time for the young Indian players to dominate. Jaydev Unadkat and Varun Chakravarthy were the highest paid players as they were paid 8.40 Crores. Jaydev Unadkat was bought by Rajasthan Royals and Varun Chakravarthy by KKR. Varun Chakravarthy is still with KKR and has become one of their most important players.
2020 – Pat Cummins (15.50 Crores)
It was KKR yet again who had the biggest bid of the 2020 Auction as they paid 15.50 Crores for Pat Cummins. However that year the IPL was held in the UAE and all their plans got derailed.
2021 – Chris Morris (16.25 Crores)
This was one of the most shocking and most expensive bids in the history of the IPL Auction. Chris Morris was given this amount by Rajasthan Royals and everyone was shocked. He did well but the pressure of the amount got to him.
2022 – Ishan Kishan (15.25 Crores)
In 2022, Mumbai Indians' shocked’ the world when they paid this amount for Ishan Kishan. This was a mega auction and Mumbai Indians wanted Ishan Kishan back. He was there for a few seasons but was released and went to SRH.
2023 – Sam Curran – 18.50 Crores
Sam Curran had won the Man of the Tournament in the T20I World Cup. Punjab Kings had all the cash and they splurged this huge amount on the young Sam Curran. He couldn’t handle the pressure of the amount and was not able to perform well.
2024 – Mitchell Starc – 24.75 Crores
Kolkata Knight Riders broke the bank with Mitchell Starc. They paid more than 24 Crores and everyone was saying that they overpaid. Then he was getting smacked left and right. However in the two knockout Matches he was the biggest match Winner and KKR won the tournament.
2025 – Rishabh Pant (27 Crores)
The IPL Mega Auction in 2025 was one for the record books. 3 Indian players were paid more than 23 Crores. Shreyas Iyer was paid 26.75 by Punjab Kings. However it was LDH that paid 27 Crores for Rishabh Pant and shocked the world. Shreyas Iyer led Punjab Kings to the final.
