IPL Player Prices

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IPL Player Prices Year by Year: The Most Expensive and Cheapest Buys

The Indian Premier League (IPL) isn’t just a cricket tournament—it’s a financial juggernaut where player auctions reveal the wild economics of T20 cricket. From modest beginnings in 2008 to record-shattering bids in 2025, the IPL has seen player prices soar, reflecting the league’s growth and franchises’ hunger for talent. Let’s take a season-by-season journey through the IPL auctions, highlighting the most expensive and cheapest players each year, and uncovering the stories behind the numbers.

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2008: The IPL Begins with a Bang

• Teams: 8 (CSK, MI, KKR, RCB, DD, KXIP, RR, DC)
• Auction Budget: $5 million per team
• Most Expensive Player: MS Dhoni – ₹9.5 crore ($1.5 million) by Chennai Super Kings
  Fresh off leading India to the 2007 T20 World Cup title, Dhoni was the prize catch. CSK’s massive bid set the tone for his long, iconic stint with the franchise, yielding five titles.
• Cheapest Players: Multiple players at ₹20 lakh ($48,000) base price, e.g., Joginder Sharma (CSK)
  Sharma, a lesser-known domestic bowler, became a bargain hero by bowling the final over in India’s T20 World Cup win, justifying CSK’s low-cost punt.
• Notable Trend: Icon players like Dhoni were pre-assigned, inflating their prices beyond the auction pool.

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2009: South Africa Hosts the Action

• Teams: 8
• Most Expensive Players: Kevin Pietersen & Andrew Flintoff – ₹9.8 crore ($1.55 million) each by RCB and CSK
  English stars commanded top dollar, but both underperformed—Pietersen scored 93 runs in 6 games, Flintoff managed 62 runs and 4 wickets.
• Cheapest Players: Base price buys at ₹20 lakh, e.g., Mashrafe Mortaza (KKR)
  The Bangladeshi pacer played just one match, epitomizing the risks of low-cost overseas picks.
• Notable Trend: Overseas talent drew big bids, but results were mixed.

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2010: Stability and Surprises

• Teams: 8
• Most Expensive Players: Shane Bond & Kieron Pollard – ₹4.8 crore ($750,000) each by KKR and MI
  Bond’s pace and Pollard’s all-round flair fetched identical sums after tiebreaker bids. Pollard became an MI legend, while Bond played sparingly.
• Cheapest Players: Base price at ₹20 lakh, e.g., Thilan Thushara (CSK)
  The Sri Lankan bowler was a quiet, cost-effective addition.
• Notable Trend: Prices dipped slightly as teams focused on building cores.

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2011: Expansion and Gambhir’s Gamble

• Teams: 10 (Added PWI, KTK)
• Most Expensive Player: Gautam Gambhir – ₹14.9 crore ($2.4 million) by Kolkata Knight Riders
  KKR’s bold bid paid off—Gambhir led them to titles in 2012 and 2014.
• Cheapest Players: Base price at ₹20 lakh, e.g., Pankaj Singh (RR)
  The domestic pacer was a low-risk pickup who saw limited action.
• Notable Trend: The 10-team format spiked prices, with Gambhir breaking records.

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2012: Jadeja’s Rise

• Teams: 9 (KTK terminated)
• Most Expensive Player: Ravindra Jadeja – ₹12.8 crore ($2 million) by Chennai Super Kings
  CSK outbid DC in a tiebreaker for the all-rounder, who became a cornerstone of their success.
• Cheapest Players: Base price at ₹20 lakh, e.g., Azhar Mahmood (KXIP)
  The veteran all-rounder offered value at a bargain.
• Notable Trend: All-rounders started commanding premium prices.

IPL Player Prices

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2013: Maxwell’s Misadventure

• Teams: 9 (PWI withdrawn mid-season, SRH debuted)
• Most Expensive Player: Glenn Maxwell – ₹6.3 crore ($1 million) by Mumbai Indians
  MI’s “Million Dollar Baby” flopped, scoring 36 runs in 3 games before thriving elsewhere.
• Cheapest Players: Base price at ₹20 lakh, e.g., Nathan Coulter-Nile (MI)
  The Aussie pacer was a steal, later proving his worth in the IPL.
• Notable Trend: Smaller auction saw restrained spending.

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2014: Yuvraj’s First Big Payday

• Teams: 8
• Most Expensive Player: Yuvraj Singh – ₹14 crore ($2.3 million) by Royal Challengers Bangalore
  Yuvraj’s 376 runs justified RCB’s splurge, though they didn’t win the title.
• Cheapest Players: Base price at ₹20 lakh, e.g., Varun Aaron (RCB)
  The fast bowler was a budget gem.
• Notable Trend: Big names reclaimed the spotlight.

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2015: Yuvraj Doubles Down

• Teams: 8
• Most Expensive Player: Yuvraj Singh – ₹16 crore ($2.5 million) by Delhi Daredevils
  DD’s record bid didn’t pay off—Yuvraj managed 248 runs in 14 games.
• Cheapest Players: Base price at ₹20 lakh, e.g., Praveen Kumar (SRH)
  The swing bowler was a reliable low-cost pick.
• Notable Trend: Yuvraj became the first player to top auctions twice.

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2016: Watson’s Windfall

• Teams: 8 (CSK, RR banned; RPS, GL added)
• Most Expensive Player: Shane Watson – ₹9.5 crore ($1.4 million) by Royal Challengers Bangalore
  Watson’s 179 runs and 20 wickets nearly took RCB to the title.
• Cheapest Players: Base price at ₹20 lakh, e.g., Mustafizur Rahman (SRH)
  “Fizz” was a revelation, helping SRH win the title.
• Notable Trend: New teams spent cautiously.

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2017: Stokes Strikes Gold

• Teams: 8
• Most Expensive Player: Ben Stokes – ₹14.5 crore ($2.17 million) by Rising Pune Supergiant
  Stokes’ 316 runs and 12 wickets made him a game-changer.
• Cheapest Players: Base price at ₹20 lakh, e.g., T Natarajan (KXIP)
  “Yorker King” emerged as a budget star.
• Notable Trend: All-rounders dominated again.

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2018: Stokes Repeats

• Teams: 8 (CSK, RR returned)
• Most Expensive Player: Ben Stokes – ₹12.5 crore ($1.85 million) by Rajasthan Royals
  Stokes’ second big payday yielded 196 runs and 8 wickets.
• Cheapest Players: Base price at ₹20 lakh, e.g., Mark Wood (CSK)
  The English pacer was a low-cost experiment.
• Notable Trend: Returning teams balanced big and small buys.

IPL Player Prices

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2019: Unadkat’s Unexpected High

• Teams: 8
• Most Expensive Player: Jaydev Unadkat – ₹8.4 crore ($1.2 million) by Rajasthan Royals
  Unadkat’s 10 wickets didn’t fully justify the price.
• Cheapest Players: Base price at ₹20 lakh, e.g., Varun Chakravarthy (KXIP)
  The mystery spinner was a bargain who later shone.
• Notable Trend: Domestic talent drew attention.

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2020: Cummins’ Comeback

• Teams: 8
• Most Expensive Player: Pat Cummins – ₹15.5 crore ($2.1 million) by Kolkata Knight Riders
  Cummins took 12 wickets but couldn’t lift KKR to playoffs.
• Cheapest Players: Base price at ₹20 lakh, e.g. Chris Green (KKR)
  The Aussie all-rounder barely featured.
• Notable Trend: Pace bowling surged in value.

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2021: Morris Makes History

• Teams: 8
• Most Expensive Player: Chris Morris – ₹16.25 crore ($2.2 million) by Rajasthan Royals
  Morris’ 15 wickets validated RR’s record bid.
• Cheapest Players: Base price at ₹20 lakh, e.g. Chetan Sakariya (RR)
  The young pacer impressed at a steal.
• Notable Trend: All-rounders hit new price peaks.

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2022: Kishan’s Keeper Coup

• Teams: 10 (GT, LSG added)
• Most Expensive Player: Ishan Kishan – ₹15.25 crore ($2 million) by Mumbai Indians
  MI re-signed their wicketkeeper for 515 runs in 14 games.
• Cheapest Players: Base price at ₹20 lakh, e.g., Tilak Varma (MI)
  Varma’s 397 runs made him a breakout star.
• Notable Trend: Mega auction inflated prices.

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2023: Curran’s Record

• Teams: 10
• Most Expensive Player: Sam Curran – ₹18.5 crore ($2.25 million) by Punjab Kings
  Curran’s 10 wickets and 276 runs showcased his all-round worth.
• Cheapest Players: Base price at ₹20 lakh, e.g., Mukesh Kumar (DC)
  The pacer was a budget find with 7 wickets.
• Notable Trend: English players surged in demand.

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2024: Starc Steals the Show

• Teams: 10
• Most Expensive Player: Mitchell Starc – ₹24.75 crore ($3 million) by Kolkata Knight Riders
  Starc’s 17 wickets, including playoff heroics, helped KKR win the title.
• Cheapest Players: Base price at ₹20 lakh, e.g., Vaibhav Arora (KKR)
  Arora’s 11 wickets were a steal.
• Notable Trend: Pace bowling hit an all-time high.

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2025: Pant’s Historic Payday

• Teams: 10
• Most Expensive Player: Rishabh Pant – ₹27 crore ($3.25 million) by Lucknow Super Giants
  Released by DC, Pant’s explosive batting and leadership fetched the highest bid ever in the November 2024 auction.
• Cheapest Player: Vaibhav Suryavanshi – ₹1.1 crore ($130,000) by Rajasthan Royals
  At 13, the youngest IPL signing offered high potential at a modest price.
• Notable Trend: Indian stars outshone overseas talent, with Pant and Shreyas Iyer (₹26.75 crore, PBKS) topping the charts.

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Reflections on the IPL Auction Saga

From Dhoni’s ₹9.5 crore in 2008 to Pant’s ₹27 crore in 2025, the IPL’s player market has exploded, driven by franchise ambition and the league’s global stature. The cheapest buys—often at the ₹20 lakh base price—have unearthed gems like Mustafizur, Natarajan, and Tilak Varma, proving value isn’t always tied to cost. As IPL 2025 kicks off today, March 23, these auctions remind us: in the IPL, every rupee tells a story of risk, reward, and cricketing dreams. What’s your favorite auction moment? Drop it in the comments!

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IPL Player Prices

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