Most expensive sold players in the IPL Auction over the years

Since its beginning in 2008, IPL has been the most glamorous T20 tournament that paved ways for the expansion of franchise T20 cricket all over the globe. IPL, filled with pop and grandeur, has also amassed opportunities for players to earn a huge amount of money that changes their life. 

However, there have been many instances all over the years where renowned players and youngsters have received big money to provide their services to the franchises. Teams have splashed cash and groundbreaking deals were made. In this article, Sportzpoint presents the most expensive sold players in the IPL Auction over the years.

Most expensive sold players in the IPL Auction over the years

2008 – MS Dhoni to Chennai Super Kings – 9.5 Cr INR

The inaugural Indian Premier League witnessed an young Mahendra Singh Dhoni receive a huge amount of 9.5 crore from Chennai Super Kings who finalized the bid. Dhoni captained Indian team in the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007 and he was one of the most demanded prospect of the first-ever IPL auction. Dhoni went to write a fairytale with CSK, winning 5 IPL trophies for the franchise. 

2009 – Kevin Pietersen to Royal Challengers Bangalore, Andrew Flintoff to Chennai Super Kings – 9.8 Cr INR 

Both English youngsters received a huge fees of 9.8 crore INR each after prolonged battle of bidding in the auction of IPL 2009. Royal Challengers Bangalore came on top to sign Pietersen whereas Flintoff joined Chennai Super Kings for the second edition of IPL, both of them became the most expensive sold player that year. 

2010 – Shane Bond to Kolkata Knight Riders, Kieron Pollard to Mumbai Indians – 4.8 Cr INR 

New Zealand's legendary fast bowler Shane Bond became the most expensive sold player as he joined Kolkata Knight Riders fetching a huge amount of 4.8 crore INR. 

Kieron Polland, the legendary West Indies all-rounder was roped in by Mumbai Indians after finalizing his services for 4.8 crore INR. Pollard became a legend for Mumbai Indians, winning 5 IPL trophies with them and also one of the most fan-favorite players to play for the franchise. 

2011 – Gautam Gambhir to Kolkata Knight Riders – 14.9 Cr INR 

Gautam Gambhir became the most expensive cricketer in the IPL 2011 auction after receiving a massive amount of 14.9 crore INR bid from Kolkata Knight Riders. However, KKR did not have to wait long to be proved right as Gambhir captained the Kolkata side to their maiden IPL win in 2012 and won another IPL title in 2014. 

2012 – Ravindra Jadeja to Chennai Super Kings – 12.8 Cr INR 

All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja bagged a huge bid of 12.8 crore INR from Chennai Super Kings. He became of the most expensive sold player of 2011 auction as CSK secured his services. Jadeja went to create his own legacy with the franchise, having won 3 IPL titles for CSK. 

2013 – Glenn Maxwell to Mumbai Indians – 6.3 Cr INR 

Mumbai Indians secured the services of Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell for a bid of 6.3 crore INR. Maxwell, who was known as the 'Mad Max' back then for his explosive batting style, drew interest from many teams but Mumbai Indians came out on top.

2014 – Yuvraj Singh to Royal Challengers Bangalore – 14 Cr INR 

The man who was named the player of the tournament in 2011 World Cup, emerged as the most expensive cricketer to be sold in the IPL Auction of 2014. 'Yuvi' joined Royal Challengers Bangalore for a mammoth amount of 14 crore INR. 

2015 – Yuvraj Singh to Delhi Daredevils – 16 Cr INR 

Yuvraj Singh was the most sought-after player in the 2014 Auction, becoming the most expensive sold cricketer of the year. However, Yuvi acquired even more huge amount of money in 2015 auction as he joined Delhi Daredevils for a bid of 16 crore INR. He became the most expensive cricketer ever in the IPL auction history at the time. 

2016 – Shane Watson to Royal Challengers Bangalore – 9.5 Cr INR 

Royal Challengers Bangalore came out on top in the 2016 auction to sign the Australian all-rounder Shane Watson for a huge amount of 9.5 crore INR. Watson became the most expensive sold cricketer in the 2016 Auction. 

2017 – Ben Stokes to Rising Pune Supergiant – 14.5 Cr INR 

Rising Pune Supergiant entered the IPL premises for the first time in 2017 but did not fall short in case of splashing cash. The newly-formed franchise finalized the services of Ben Stokes, considered as one of the greatest English all-rounders. Stokes became the most expensive foreign cricketer in the IPL history at that time. 

2018 – Ben Stokes to Rajasthan Royals – 12.5 Cr INR 

Ben Stokes displayed a commendable dominance both with the bat and the ball in the 2017 IPL, amassing 312 runs and bagging 12 wickets. His brilliant performance made Rajasthan Royals splash the cash again for him as the made a bold bid of 12.5 crore INR which made Stokes the most expensive sold cricketer of the IPL Auction for the second consecutive time. 

2019 – Jaydev Unadkat to Rajasthan Royals, Varun Chakravarthy to Kings XI Punjab – 8.4 Cr INR 

Jaydev Unadkat, the young Indian pacer became a surprise for everyone as he fetched a bid of 8.4 Crore INR for him by Rajasthan Royals. He became most expensive sold player of the 2019 auction, jointly with the spinner Varun Chakravarthy who received a bid of the same amount by Kings XI Punjab. 

2020 – Pat Cummins to Kolkata Knight Riders – 15.5 Cr INR 

Pat Cummins broke the record of Ben Stokes to become the most expensive overseas player ever in the history of IPL auction. Kolkata Knight Riders made an epic bid of 15.5 crore INR to secure the services of the Australian fast bowler. 

2021 – Chris Morris to Rajasthan Royals – 15.25 Cr INR 

Rajasthan Royals did not hesitate to break the bank to acquire the South African all-rounder Chris Morris in the IPL 2021 auction, making him the most expensive sold cricketer ever in the history of IPL Auction. The Royals spent a whopping amount of 15.25 crore INR to break all the records. 

2022 – Ishan Kishan to Mumbai Indians – 15.25 Cr INR 

The young wicket-keeper batman Ishan Kishan stole all the limelights in the 2022 auction after Mumbai Indians bought him spending a mammoth amount of 15.25 crore INR.

2023 – Sam Curran to Punjab Kings – 18.5 Cr INR 

Punjab Kings went all out in the 2023 auction for the young English all-rounder Sam Curran, and they became successful in the pursuit after completing the buy with a whopping 18.5 Cr INR. Curran became the most expensive English cricketer ever in the history of IPL. 

2024 – Mitchell Starc to Kolkata Knight Riders – 24.75 Cr INR 

Every other previous records of spending huge amounts in the IPL auctions were shattered in the 2024 auction. Mitchell Starc broke all the records as Kolkata Knight Riders broke the bank to acquire the services of one of their former players and the Kolkata side splurged 24.75 crore INR to finalize the buy. The lethal Australian fast bowler was by far the most expensive sold cricketer ever in the history of the Indian Premier League at that time.