The Most Expensive Players in IPL Auction History: Performance Highlights from 2015 to 2024
The IPL auctions are always a spectacle, with top players commanding astronomical bids. Here’s a look at the most expensive players from each IPL auction over the past decade and how they performed in their respective seasons.
IPL 2024 Auction: Mitchell Starc (Rs 24.75 crore)
Australian pacer Mitchell Starc became the most expensive player in IPL history after being picked by Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs 24.75 crore. In the 2024 season, Starc played 14 matches, taking 17 wickets with a best performance of 4/33. With a bowling average of 26.11 and a strike rate of 14.70, Starc was a key contributor to KKR’s title-winning campaign.
IPL 2023 Auction: Sam Curran (Rs 18.50 crore)
Punjab Kings shelled out Rs 18.50 crore to secure English all-rounder Sam Curran, making him the most expensive player of 2023. Curran played 14 matches, scoring 276 runs at a strike rate of 135.96 and averaging 27.60. With the ball, he claimed 10 wickets at an average of 48.90, with a best performance of 3/31.
IPL 2022 Auction: Ishan Kishan (Rs 15.25 crore)
Mumbai Indians retained wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan for a whopping Rs 15.25 crore in the 2022 auction. That season, Kishan played 14 matches, amassing 418 runs with a top score of 81 not out. He averaged 32.15 with a strike rate of 120.11, notching up three half-centuries. Behind the stumps, Kishan took 13 catches.
IPL 2021 Auction: Chris Morris (Rs 16.25 crore)
South African all-rounder Chris Morris became the most expensive player of 2021 when Rajasthan Royals bought him for Rs 16.25 crore. Morris played 11 games, picking up 15 wickets and scoring 67 runs.
IPL 2020 Auction: Pat Cummins (Rs 15.50 crore)
Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins fetched Rs 15.50 crore from Kolkata Knight Riders in 2020. That season, Cummins played 14 matches, taking 12 wickets with a best performance of 4/34. He also scored an unbeaten 53 against Mumbai Indians, registering one of the fastest fifties in IPL history.
IPL 2019 Auction: Varun Chakaravarthy and Jaydev Unadkat (Rs 8.50 crore each)
In 2019, Punjab Kings acquired mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy, while Rajasthan Royals signed left-arm pacer Jaydev Unadkat, both for Rs 8.50 crore. Chakaravarthy played just one game, taking one wicket, while Unadkat played 11 matches and claimed 10 wickets with a best performance of 2/26.
IPL 2018 Auction: Ben Stokes (Rs 12.50 crore)
English all-rounder Ben Stokes was snapped up by Rajasthan Royals for Rs 12.50 crore in 2018. That season, Stokes played 13 matches, scoring 196 runs and taking 8 wickets.
IPL 2017 Auction: Ben Stokes (Rs 14.50 crore)
In 2017, Ben Stokes was again the costliest player, with Rising Pune Supergiant paying Rs 14.50 crore for him. Stokes played 12 matches, scoring 316 runs, including a century, and taking 12 wickets with a best of 3/18.
IPL 2016 Auction: Shane Watson (Rs 9.50 crore)
Australian all-rounder Shane Watson was signed by Royal Challengers Bangalore for Rs 9.50 crore in 2016. Watson played 16 matches, scoring 179 runs and taking 20 wickets, with his best bowling figures being 4/29.
IPL 2015 Auction: Yuvraj Singh (Rs 16 crore)
Former Indian star Yuvraj Singh made headlines in 2015 when Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) signed him for Rs 16 crore. Yuvraj scored 248 runs in 14 matches but took only one wicket.
Conclusion
From Mitchell Starc to Yuvraj Singh, the IPL auctions have seen record-breaking deals and varied performances. While some players justified their hefty price tags with stellar performances, others fell short of expectations. With the 2025 IPL mega auction approaching, it will be interesting to see how franchises strategize to build their squads for the next three years.(cricket betting app)