Over the years, the Indian Premier League has turned into more of an international affair, not only due to the cricket ecstasy provided but also for the big, fat bucks that get associated with the player auctions inside it. Franchises over the years have spent millions of dollars to acquire the best talent in town, creating headlines with jaw-dropping bids.
And the IPL 2024 season went by following this trend line, where a new set of records was shattered and new benches set. Let’s take a look at the most expensive IPL players of all time, ranked according to their monumental price tags.
Mitchell Starc – Kolkata Knight Riders – $2.97 million (Rs 24.75 crore)
Mitchell Starc shattered all previous IPL records when Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) acquired him for an astronomical Rs 24.75 crore. This translates to approximately $2.97 million, making him the most expensive player in IPL history. Starc’s reputation as a fearsome left-arm pacer, combined with his ability to dominate in all formats, led to this unprecedented bid.
Fans and analysts alike were buzzing with excitement, with many turning to their favorite Sportsbook app to place bets on KKR’s success with Starc leading their bowling attack. KKR’s investment in Starc reflects their commitment to strengthening their bowling arsenal, betting big on his match-winning abilities. The acquisition of Starc signifies a strategic shift for the franchise, focusing on bolstering their chances in the tournament with a world-class bowler.
Pat Cummins – Sunrisers Hyderabad – $2.46 million (Rs 20.5 crore)
The other Aussie pace ace, Pat Cummins, was picked by SRH for a staggering Rs 20.5 crore, approximately $2.46 million. The hot object of the auction, Cummins, has been a consistent performer for Australia and in previous seasons of IPL. His big price thus underlined his value as a strike bowler.
His value as a frontline bowler absolutely capable of making a mark in such important matches was well underlined with this. Thus SRH’s buy of Cummins underlined their strategy of making an impeccable bowling unit when the conditions would suit pace and bounce in a game-changing scenario.
Sam Curran – Punjab Kings – $2.22 million (Rs 18.5 crore)
Punjab Kings made Englishman Sam Curran the highest-paid cricketer in the history of the IPL by retaining his services for ₹ 18.5 crore, approximately $2.22 million, at the 2023 auction. After an underwhelming effort last season, PBKS showed faith in Curran’s all-round abilities in hoping for a better ROI in the upcoming season.
Can swing the ball both ways and a handy contributor with the bat, Curran sorely missed; it should be a real bonus to the T20 fraternity in general. The retention of the player by the Punjab Kings hints that this franchise is willing to back his talent for a high-intensity IPL return.
Cameron Green – Mumbai Indians – $2.10 million (Rs 17.5 crore)
The much-promising all-rounder of Australia, Cameron Green, was picked up by the Mumbai Indians for Rs 17.5 crore at the auctions held ahead of the 2023 season. His purchase marked clear intent on the part of MI to fortify the middle order, and also to add a few more bowlers. His potential with both bat and ball means that he is worth every rupee to whatever side signs him.
But MI’s decision to trade Green off to RCB to accommodate Hardik Pandya ahead of the 2024 season speaks to the fluidity in IPL team makeups, where strategic trades are as important as big-money buys.
Ben Stokes – Chennai Super Kings – $1.94 million (Rs 16.25 crore)
In one of the biggest buys in the auction so far this year, one of the most dynamic all-rounders in world cricket, Ben Stokes, was purchased by Chennai Super Kings for a staggering Rs. 16.25 crore, which is about $1.94 million. It was Stokes’s capability of singularly rescuing any game that had him on the minds of most franchises.
Stokes chose not to play for the 2024 season after spending so much on him, putting workload management and fitness first. CSK’s move to get Stokes is an indicator that they want more strength and experience in their team and will have to find some suitable replacements for the outgoing players this time around.
Chris Morris – Rajasthan Royals – $1.94 million (Rs 16.25 crore)
Chris Morris scripted history in the 2021 IPL auction becoming the most expensive player in the history of the Rajasthan Royals (RR) side by being bid for Rs 16.25 crore, which translates into approximately $1.94 million. The hard-hitting lower-down-the-order player and death bowler was supposed to be the marquee player for RR.
However, the franchise did not retain him into the next season, which really had been a big change in the team strategy for RR. The case of Morris was a glaring reminder of the volatility of the sports industry, where not every record-breaking buy guaranteed a long-term contract.
Nicholas Pooran – Lucknow Super Giants – $1.92 m (Rs 16 cr)
Nicholas Pooran had the ignominy of becoming the most expensive wicket-keeper batter in an IPL auction when Lucknow Super Giants paid ₹16 crore—equivalent to $1.92 million—in 2023.
With an explosive approach to batting and being an agile wicketkeeper, Pooran is valued as an asset in the game of T20 cricket. The LSG’s investment in Pooran is just a representative of their intent to build a strong enough squad that could be able to compete at the top level, with a focus on strong batting performances that can win matches outright.
Conclusion
The IPL has continued to raise the financial bar with every auction, with franchises not shying away from spending seemingly exorbitant amounts to snap up talent. If anything, these investments only underscore how imperative star players are in a high-octane tournament like the IPL, where often single moments of brilliance may turn the tide of a match for any given side.