The Indian Premier League (IPL) auctions have always been a stage of intense drama, shocking transfers and extremely expensive dealings. Over the years, the price tags of IPL players have witnessed exponential growth, increasing their overall stature and financial dominance at a global level.
Ahead of the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) that is scheduled to commence from March 2025 and will continue till the final showdown for the ultimate title on May 25, 2025, let’s explore the financial strand of the world’s most decorated and richest cricket league.
In this article we will take a look at the top four most expensive transfers ever made in the history of Indian Premier League (IPL) auctions.
Top 4 Most Expensive Transfers in the History of Indian Premier League (IPL)
Mitchell Starc (Rs 24.75 Crore – Kolkata Knight Riders, 2024)
Often hailed as one of the greatest fast bowlers in Australian cricket history, Mitchell Aaron Starc is at the first spot in our list of top four most expensive buys ever witnessed in the auctions of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The Australian bowling wizard made his Indian Premier League (IPL) debut for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) squad in 2014.
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In the 2024 IPL auction, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) franchise secured Mitchel Starc for a whopping INR 24.75 Crores. As of 2025, Mitchell Starc is the most expensive player ever signed in an IPL auction. Interestingly, Starc chose to switch sides and will be playing for the Delhi Capitals (DC) franchise in the upcoming IPL 2025 season.
Pat Cummins (Rs 20.50 Crore – Sunrisers Hyderabad, 2024)
At the second spot in our list of top four most expensive transfers in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL) we have another legendary Australian bowling wizard, Pat Cummins. Pat Cummins was acquired by the Sunrisers Hyderabad franchise for a staggering INR 20.50 Crores in the 2024 IPL auction. Cummins became the second most expensive player ever signed by an IPL franchise after Mitchell Starc.
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The skipper of the Australian national men’s cricket team in the Test and One Day Internationals format, Pat Cummins, has been retained by the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad for a whopping INR 18 Crores for the upcoming 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Sam Curran (Rs 18.50 Crore – Punjab Kings, 2023)
English all-rounder Samuel Matthew Curran, often popularly referred to as “Sam Curran”, is at the third spot in our list of top four most expensive players ever auctioned for the Indian Premier League (IPL). Often hailed as one of the greatest and most deadly limited over players, Sam Curran made his IPL breakthrough for Punjab Kings franchise in 2019.
As mentioned earlier, over the years, the price tags of Indian Premier League (IPL) players have risen exponentially. Well, Curran was indeed no exception. Punjab Kings retained Sam Curran during the 2023 IPL auction for a staggering INR 18.50 Crores, making him the third most expensive player ever signed by a franchise in an IPL auction.
Cameron Green (Rs 17.50 Crore – Mumbai Indians, 2023)
Finally, at the fourth spot in our list of top four most expensive transfers in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL), we have Australian all-rounder, Cameron Green. “Greeny” made his IPL debut for Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2023 edition and apart from his successful exploits on the field, Cameron Green also made a record for being the most expensive pick for Mumbai Indians right in his debut season.
The Mumbai Indians franchise spent an unbelievable amount of INR 17.50 Crores on acquiring the Australian all-rounder Cameron Green, making him the fourth most expensive player in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
