The IPL player auction is an exciting event in the global cricket calendar that attracts lots of attention from franchises and fans alike through bidding wars over talented players.
Over the years, these prices have been above what we ever expected, and some players have earned staggering amounts. While these IPL cricketers are expected to perform miracles on the pitch, there are some big-name IPL players whose auction price remains unearned in performances.
6 most expensive IPL players yet to justify their worth
1. Rishabh Pant – ₹27 Crore (Lucknow Super Giants)
Rishabh Pant created history at the 2025 IPL auction as he emerged as the most costly player to be sold, with Lucknow Super Giants snapping him up for a whopping ₹27 crore. Pant, who was popular for his aggressive batting and captaincy potential, was regarded as a future skipper and crowd-puller of Lucknow.
But, since coming back from an injury break, Pant has not yet produced the sort of performances one would hope for from a player with such a staggering price tag. Though there is no doubt about his capacity to change games with his positive batting, the burden of his record-breaking contract is that all expectations rest on him to drive the team forward.
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2. Mitchell Starc – ₹24.75 Crore (Kolkata Knight Riders)
Australia’s leading fast bowler Mitchell Starc was acquired by Kolkata Knight Riders for ₹24.75 crore in the 2024 IPL auction. Though his international experience in cricket stands to testament, Starc had been plagued by injuries in the past, restricting his contribution in the IPL. His value is reflective of the enormous hype surrounding his ability to win games, particularly in the powerplay and death overs.
Though Starc’s left-arm swing and pace are undeniable strengths, his limited participation in the IPL means that he has not as yet fulfilled the high expectations surrounding him.
3. Venkatesh Iyer – ₹23.75 Crore (Kolkata Knight Riders)
The Kolkata Knight Riders made their second aggressive purchase at the auction in 2025, shelling out ₹23.75 crore for explosively gifted all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer, who offers batting firepower coupled with seam-bowling versatility.
However, Iyer still has not yet seized his position in the team as a match-winner as he promised to do. He has been priced based on what he did in local cricket and when he first arrived in the IPL but will need to be more consistent in his performance if he is to justify.
4. Pat Cummins – ₹20.50 Crore (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
The captain of Australia, Pat Cummins was sold by Sunrisers Hyderabad for ₹20.50 crore in the 2024 auction. With his severe pace and his leadership capacity, Cummins was expected to bring a winning mentality to SRH, even after leading Australia to victory in the World Test Championship and World Cup.
Although his bowling credentials are unimpeachable, his batting as well as injury issues have inflated his price tag. With the IPL’s emphasis on T20 batting talent, Cummins has still not been able to fully establish his worth, with both bat and ball, in the tournament.
5. Sam Curran – ₹18.50 Crore (Punjab Kings)
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The most expensive player at the 2023 IPL auction was Sam Curran, with the Punjab Kings shelling out ₹18.50 crore for the all-rounder. Curran’s price expectations ballooned to heights never seen before after his match-winning contributions for England in the 2022 T20 World Cup but to date has not played to that standard in the IPL.
As a player who can score runs and take wickets he is a significant asset, but this has been with inconsistent performances and he has not yet been able to justify his record price in a fierce IPL context.
6. Arshdeep Singh – ₹18 Crore (Punjab Kings)
Arshdeep Singh, the upcoming left-arm seamer who caught India’s regard in white-ball cricket, was secured by Punjab Kings for ₹18 crore at the 2025 IPL auction. Arshdeep rose quickly because of his ability to bowl yorkers and maintain composure in the face of pressure.
However, his IPL performances have not consistently matched his talent during the death overs, which are obviously crucial in the IPL environment, where competition is intense. Although he has shown glimpses of his ability, he has not been able to produce in the IPL consistently enough to justify the level of payment made for him.
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