The player's auction for IPL 2023 has started today in Kochi. In this mini-auction, all the franchises will try to improve their team by buying some players. A total of 405 players are participating in the auction. Of these, 273 are Indian players. England allrounder Sam Curran broke Chris Morris' record to become the most expensive player. In this article, we will discuss the most expensive players in IPL history.

Curran was bought by Punjab Kings for Rs 18.50 crore. Although he did not play the last IPL, his best performance was seen in the World Cup 2022. Sam has the ability to do excellent bowling along with smoky batting. Meanwhile, Mumbai had bid for Sam Curran with a base price of 2 crores. After which the secondary bid was Rs 7 crore. Due to a lack of budget with RCB, he had to back down but Rajasthan made a bid of Rs 9.75 crore for him. After which CSK made a bid of Rs 12.25 crore, but later he also backed out. In the end, with a bid of Rs 18.50 crore, Punjab took Sam in their court.

Most expensive players in IPL history:

1. Sam Curran | 18.5 Cr

Sam Curran was an attraction in the IPL auction after becoming the Player of the Tournament in the 2022 T20 World Cup. He was also the Player of the Match in the final where England beat Australia. Curran did not register for the IPL mega auction in February 2022, citing rehabilitation from a back injury as the reason for opting out. The England left-arm pacer played for Chennai Super Kings in the 2020 and 2021 seasons. He was handed his IPL debut by Punjab Kings, which signed him for Rs. 7.2 crore in 2019.

2. Cameron Green | 17.5 cr

Cameron Green was signed by Mumbai for Rs 17.50 crore at the IPL 2023 auction in Kochi on Friday. After that, he comes to the second position in the list of most expensive players in IPL history. Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Capitals also tried to make a claim for the all-rounder but the five-time champion took the services. Green debuted for Australia in T20Is in April 2022. In eight matches, Green has a strike of 173.75 and has scored two 50+ scores. Both fifties came against India in November - 61 off 30 balls and 52 off 21 deliveries.

3. Chris Morris | 16.25 cr

Former South Africa all-rounder Chris Morris became the most expensive player in the IPL when Rajasthan Royals acquired him at the IPL 2021 mini-auction. Morris was released by the Royal Challengers Bangalore ahead of the auction, having bought him for INR 10 crore the previous year. Morris was engaged in a fierce bidding war which saw his value soar more than 21 times his base price of INR 75 lakh to a staggering INR 16.25 crore. However, Morris announced his retirement from all forms of cricket in January 2022.

4. Ben Stokes | 16.25 cr (2022)

Ben Stokes' services were acquired by Chennai Super Kings in the 2023 IPL Auction. He tied the record with South Africa's Chris Morris for the third-highest signing in IPL. Stokes attracted interest from multiple teams after the all-rounder played a crucial role in England's T20 World Cup winning campaign earlier this year. England allrounder Stokes entered at Rs 2 crore. RCB competed with RR before LSG entered the bid at Rs 7 crore. SRH too entered the fray shortly after followed by CSK. The MS Dhoni-led team eventually landed Stokes for Rs 16.25 crore, the third joint-highest price tag ever in the IPL.

5. Nicholas Pooran | 16 cr (2022)

Nicholas Pooran was signed by Lucknow Super Giants for Rs 16 crore, making him the most expensive wicketkeeper batter in IPL auction history. Pooran played for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2022 season after being picked up in the mega auction for Rs. 10.75 crores. The franchise, however, released the wicketkeeper-batter ahead of the mini-auction.

6. Yuvraj Singh | 16 cr

Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh hit the jackpot when he was bought for INR 16 crore by Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) ahead of the 2015 IPL. Yuvraj, struggling to regain his spot in Team India, had received another big bid of INR 14 crore the previous season from RCB. However, he failed to live up to the billing with Delhi, managing 248 runs and a solitary wicket in 14 matches. Delhi released Yuvraj ahead of the next season. Sunrisers Hyderabad then signed him for INR 7 crore.

7. Pat Cummins | 15.5 cr

Australia seamer Pat Cummins made the headlines during the IPL 2020 auction as Kolkata Knight Riders bought his services at a whopping INR 15.5 crore. Cummins picked up 12 wickets for KKR and contributed handy knocks in the lower order, including a quick-fire fifty, in his first season. However, he was released by KKR ahead of the 2022 auction, where the franchise bought him back at INR 7.25 crore, half the price of his record-breaking bid the previous year.

8. Ishan Kishan | 15.25 cr

India wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan became the most expensive signing of the IPL 2022 auction after Mumbai Indians bought him for a whopping INR 15.25 crore. Kishan, first bought by Mumbai in 2018, was the team's leading run-scorer in 2020. He made 516 runs in 14 matches while striking 30 sixes, the most that year.

9. Kyle Jamieson | 15 cr

New Zealand's Kyle Jamieson was the second-most expensive player at the 2021 IPL auction, with Royal Challengers Bangalore buying the relatively inexperienced T20 player for a staggering INR 15 crore. Jamieson's early exploits with the red-ball, particularly against India, ensured that his stocks skyrocketed 20 times his base price of INR 75 lakh.

10. Ben Stokes | 14.5 cr

England's all-format talisman Ben Stokes was bought by the Rising Pune Supergiant for a hefty price of INR 14.5 crore ahead of its second and last year in the IPL in 2017. Stokes justified his signing with bat and ball. He amassed 316 runs at a strike rate of 142.98 and smashed a match-winning 63-ball hundred against the now-defunct Gujarat Lions. Stokes also scalped 12 wickets at an economy of 7.18 runs as Pune finished runner-up.

11. Deepak Chahar | 14 cr

Deepak Chahar became the most expensive Indian fast bowler in the IPL when he was signed by Chennai Super Kings for INR 14 crore at the IPL 2022 auction. The 29-year-old made his IPL debut for the Rising Pune Supergiant in 2016, where he picked up a solitary wicket from five outings across two seasons. In the 2018 auction, Chahar was drafted in by CSK for INR 80 lakh, where he revelled over four seasons, recording 58 wickets from as many games.

The IPL 2025 Purple Cap is still on the head of Prasidh Krishna. In the Qualifier 2 match between Punjab and Mumbai, Trent Bolt had a chance to go ahead of Prasidh. But Bolt's magic did not work in this match. Now Mumbai's team is out of IPL. In such a situation, Bolt's number of wickets will also not increase.

Also Read: IPL 2025 Orange Cap Winners List

Who is ahead among bowlers?

Talking IPL 2025 Purple Cap contenders, Prasidh Krishna of Gujarat Titans is still number one. Prasidh has 25 wickets in 15 matches. Noor Ahmed of Chennai Super Kings is at number two with 24 wickets. But his team has been eliminated.

The biggest challenge for Prasidh Krishna is Josh Hazlewood of Royal Challengers Bangaluru. Hazlewood has 21 wickets in 11 matches. He is also the kind of bowler who can take five or six wickets in a match. If Hazlewood manages to do this against Punjab Kings in the final, he will make the path to Purple Cap very easily.

Also Read: Most 50+ scores as a captain in IPL playoffs

IPL 2025 Purple Cap Winners List

The picture of who will win the Orange Cap in IPL 2025 has become completely clear, but the place of Suryakumar Yadav, who came second, is still in danger. Virat Kohli is still in the race for the IPL 2025 Orange Cap, but he will hardly be able to leave Sai Sudharsan behind, but he has a chance to leave Surya behind.

Also Read: IPL Finals and finalists since 2008

On the other hand, Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer, who played an unbeaten 87-run innings against Mumbai Indians in the second qualifier match, has entered the club of batsmen who have scored 600 runs this season. He is the sixth batsman to score 600 runs in this season and also has the highest run scorer for Punjab.

Kohli can leave Surya behind

The IPL 2025 Orange Cap will remain in the name of Sai Sudarshan and it will be difficult for Virat Kohli to leave him behind. Sai has 759 runs in 15 matches and Virat Kohli has scored 614 runs in 14 matches. Kohli has only one match left in the form of the final. If Kohli scores 104 runs in this match, he can overtake Suryakumar and come to the second position. SKY has scored 717 runs in 16 matches.

There is a possibility that Kohli will score 104 runs in the final, but as far as leaving Sai behind is concerned, for this Kohli will have to play an innings of 146 runs against Punjab Kings, which does not look easy and its possibility also seems less. So, Sai's position seems safe, but Kohli may leave Suryakumar behind.

Also Read: Most 50+ scores as a captain in IPL playoffs

IPL 2025 Orange Cap Winners List

Since the inaugural season of IPL in 2008, it has delivered unforgettable final encounters. From Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings competing for the title in the first season, to Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru gearing up to win their first in IPL 2025, we have come a long way.

Here's how IPL Finals since 2008 looked like with the teams being a part of it:

The Ultimate Chronicle: IPL Finals since 2008

Take a look into the two teams emerging every season to fight for the IPL title since 2008-2005:

IPL 2008 (Winner: RR)

• Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings 
• CSK:163/5 | RR: 164/7
• P.O.T.M: Yusuf Pathan 56(33) & 3/22

IPL 2009 (Winner: DCH)

• Deccan Chargers vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru 
• DCH: 143/6 | RCB: 137/9
• P.O.T.M: Anil Kumble 4/16

Read Also: Most 50+ scores as a captain in IPL playoffs

IPL 2010 (Winner: CSK)

• Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings
• CSK: 168/5 | MI: 146/9
• P.O.T.M: Suresh Raina 57*(35) & 1/21

IPL 2011 (Winner: CSK)

• Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru
• CSK: 205/5 | RCB: 147/8
• P.O.T.M: Murali Vijay 95(52)

IPL 2012 (Winner: KKR)

• Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders
• CSK: 190/3 | KKR: 192/5
• P.O.T.M: Manvinder Bisla 89(48)

IPL 2013 (Winner: MI)

• Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings 
• MI: 148/9 | CSK: 125/9
• P.O.T.M: Kieron Pollard 60*(32) & 1/34

IPL 2014 (Winner: KKR)

• Punjab Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders 
• PBKS: 199/4 | KKR: 200/7
• P.O.T.M: Manish Pandey 94(50)

Read Also: Most sixes hit by any batter in IPL history

IPL 2015 (Winner: MI)

• Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings
• MI: 202/5 | CSK: 161/8
• P.O.T.M: Rohit Sharma 50(26)

IPL 2016 (Winner: SRH)

• Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru
• SRH: 208/7 | RCB: 200/7
• P.O.T.M: Ben Cutting 39*(15) & 2(35)

IPL 2017 (Winner: MI)

• Mumbai Indians vs Rising Pune Supergiant
• MI: 129/8 | RSP: 128/6
• P.O.T.M: Krunal Pandya 47(38)

IPL 2018 (Winner: CSK)

• Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Chennai Super Kings 
• SRH: 178/6 | CSK: 181/2
• P.O.T.M: Shane Watson 107*(57)

IPL 2019 (Winner: MI)

• Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings 
• MI: 149/8 | CSK: 148/7
• P.O.T.M: Jasprit Bumrah 2/14

IPL 2020 (Winner: MI)

• Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians 
• DC: 156/7 | MI: 157/5
• P.O.T.M: Trent Boult 3/30

Read Also: Teams to finish last in IPL Points Table

IPL 2021 (Winner: CSK)

• Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders 
• CSK: 192/3 | KKR: 165/9
• P.O.T.M: Faf du Plessis 86(59)

IPL 2022 (Winner: GT)

• Rajasthan Royals vs Gujarat Titans
• RR: 130/9 | GT: 133/3
• P.O.T.M: Hardik Pandya 34(30) & 3/17

IPL 2023 (Winner: CSK)

• Gujarat Titans vs Chennai Super Kings 
• GT: 214/4 | CSK: 171/5 (15 ovs) DLS method
• P.O.T.M: Devon Conway 47(25)

IPL 2024 (Winner: KKR)

• Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kolkata Knight Riders 
• SRH: 113 (18.3) | KKR: 114/2 (10.3)
• P.O.T.M: Mitchell Starc 2/14 & 2 catches

Read Also: Highest individual scores by players in IPL playoffs

IPL 2025

• Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings 
• The final is set to take place on June 3, 2025. May the best team win.

In a crucial stage like IPL playoffs, captains are expected to not only lead their team but also deliver crucial performances. The ability to score big when the team need you the most sets certain leaders apart.

We bring you the most 50+ scoresas a captain in IPL playoffs. See how Shreyas Iyer is leading this elite group with being the exceptional captain that he is.

1. Shreyas Iyer (3 times) | DC, KKR, PBKS

Shreyas Iyer has swiftly risen as a captain who performs under pressure in IPL playoffs. He holds an exceptional record of being the only captain to lead 3 different franchises to the final (Delhi Capitals in 2020, Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024, and Punjab Kings in 2025).

He has also delivered 50+ scores thrice for his team in IPL playoffs. Here's a breakdown of that:

• 65* vs MI (Final, IPL 2020): An unbeaten 65* off 50 balls in the vital match while captaining DC, which came off when the team's top-order collapsed early. Despite their defeat in that match, Iyer's knock helped them reach a hopeful total.
• 58* vs SRH (Qualifier 1, IPL 2024): A captain's knock of 58* runs (from 24 balls) that set the tone for KKR's successful victory in the Q1 and led them into the finals.
• 87* vs MI (Qualifier 2, IPL 2025): From handling Bumrah's brilliant yorkers and turning them into boundaries, to keeping the asking rate down with towering sixes, this man has done it all in this match under pressure! Iyer's 87* off 41 balls (featuring five 4s and eight 6s) took PBKS to the final after 11 long years.

Read Also: 5 batters with the most runs in IPL playoffs history

A 1⃣1⃣ year wait ends... 🥹#PBKS are in the #TATAIPL 2025 Final and who better than Captain Shreyas Iyer to take them through ❤

Scorecard ▶ https://t.co/vIzPVlDqoC#PBKSvMI | #Qualifier2 | #TheLastMile | @PunjabKingsIPL pic.twitter.com/vILymKxqXp

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) June 1, 2025

2. Rohit Sharma (2 times) | MI

The five-time IPL winning captain, Rohit Sharma, holds a place with his 2 times delivering 50+ scores as a captain in IPL playoffs, playing for Mumbai Indians.

He scored both of them in Finals, contributing to MI's title-winning years. Here's a breakdown of that:

• 50 vs CSK (Final, IPL 2015): Helped MI set a strong total with his 50 runs off just 26 balls, showcasing his leadership in the team's title-winning efforts for the 2nd time in IPL.
• 68 vs DC (Final, IPL 2020): Played a captain's knock of 68 runs (from 51 balls) to control the chase and secure their 5th IPL title.

3. MS Dhoni (2 times) | CSK

One of the most successful captains in IPL history, MS Dhoni has played a significant role with the bat along with wicket-keeping and strategising overall. He scored 50+ knocks 2 times as a captain in IPL playoffs for Chennai Super Kings.

He scored both of them against MI, in different IPL seasons. Here's a breakdown of that:

• 51* vs MI (Eliminator, IPL 2012): Dhoni's explosive knock of 51* runs from just 20 balls helped CSK post a competitive total which eventually converted to a victory.
• 63* vs MI (Final, IPL 2013): In a hard-fought final against MI, his unbeaten 63 off 45 balls kept the hopes alive for CSK, but fell short of 23 runs in the end.

Read Also: Most P.O.T.M Awards in IPL

4. David Warner (2 times) | SRH

David Warner was a dominant force at the top of the order for Sunrisers Hyderabad and an equally good captain. He delivered many impactful performances throughout, along with 50+ scores 2 times in playoffs.

He scored both of them in IPL 2016, the season when SRH became champions. Here's a breakdown of that:

• 93* vs GL (Qualifier 2, IPL 2016): A sensational match-winning knock of 93* runs off 58 balls when the team needed it the most. He single-handedly chased down and took the match out of a poor situation, securing the win.
• 69 vs RCB (Final, IPL 2016): A classy knock in the final of the same season, where his explosive 69 runs (off 38 balls) helped SRH set 208 runs on board. They successfully defended and lifted their maiden IPL title by winning that match.

While team victories are the ultimate goal in IPL, the 'Player of the Match' (P.O.T.M) award is the direct recognition of a player's game-changing performance.

Winning P.O.T.M a couple of times shows how a player has outshined the rest and truly dominated the game. We will now explore the players with most P.O.T.M awards in IPL.

Keep an eye out, as Rohit Sharma is remarkably close to reaching the top.

1. AB de Villiers (25 P.O.T.M Awards)

The "Mr. 360" of cricket, AB de Villiers, holds the most P.O.T.M awards in IPL history with 25 awards throughout his career with DC and primarily Royal Challengers Bengaluru. 

Whether it was fast paced fifties or scorching hundreds, his impact was undeniable. His IPL career spanned from 2008-2021, and yet no one could match his numbers in terms of Player of the match awards.

Read Also: Most sixes hit by any batter in IPL history

2. Chris Gayle (22 P.O.T.M Awards)

Whether it's the list of most sixes in IPL or highest individual scores, this West Indies legend always finds his spot in the top for all of them. Chris Gayle has the second-most P.O.T.M awards in IPL with 22 awards in total.

He played for franchises like KKR, PBKS, and RCB, and won multiple awards at his prime years like 2011 (smashed 2 centuries), 2012 (claimed the Orange Cap) and of course, 2013, where he scored the monumental 175* against PWI.

3. Rohit Sharma (21 P.O.T.M Awards)

Rohit Sharma is the Indian player with most P.O.T.M awards in IPL and the third-highest in this list. He received 21 awards and is just an award away to equal Gayle's number. 

Sharma received 2 P.O.T.M awards in IPL 2025; one for his 75* (45 balls) against CSK in league stage, and the other for his 81 runs off 50 balls against GT in IPL Eliminator.

As Mumbai Indians are set to play the Qualifier 2 this season, there's high chances of Rohit bagging another one (or maybe 2).

Read Also: 16 Indian Cricketers with stands named after them at a stadium

4. Virat Kohli (19 P.O.T.M Awards)

One of the most consistent run-scorer and match-winner for RCB, Virat Kohli stands fourth with an impressive 19 P.O.T.M awards in IPL. He is like the heart of the team and doesn't need awards to measure his greatness.

Kohli has won a P.O.T.M award in IPL 2025 for his unbeaten 73 runs against Punjab Kings. He has scored 8 half-centuries so far this season and there might be another loading as RCB is set to play the Final.

Kohli received multiple P.O.T.M awards during the 2016 season where he scored the record-breaking 973 runs.

Read Also: IPL 2025: RCB batters create this unique history before the playoffs

5. David Warner (18 P.O.T.M Awards)

The Australian legend, David Warner, had an incredible journey in IPL. He was the key player of every franchise that he represented, such as Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad. He won 18 P.O.T.M awards in IPL.

He has also been a three-times orange cap winner (2015, 2017, 2019), which tells a lot about his career peak in IPL and the shower of P.O.T.M awards in those years.

6. MS Dhoni (18 P.O.T.M Awards)

The five-time IPL winning captain, MS Dhoni, equals the number of P.O.T.M awards as Warner with 18 awards in IPL. His unparallel impact, captaincy, and match finishing abilities has earned him this high count of awards.

In IPL 2025, Dhoni won the P.O.T.M award by delivering a match-winning knock of 26* runs off just 11 balls against LSG, which also made him the oldest player to win a P.O.T.M award in IPL history, at the age of 43 years and 280 days.