Mitchell Starc to Yuvraj Singh, the most expensive players in IPL history

Mitchell Starc, who has made a comeback to the IPL after an eight-year hiatus has become the most expensive player in IPL history at ₹24.75 crore after he was acquired by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Starc last played in the IPL in 2015 for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). While he was purchased by KKR in 2018 for ₹9.4 crore, he backed out due to an injury.

World Cup-winning captain Pat Cummins was one of the most sought after at the IPL auction, as expected. After being purchased by KKR for ₹7.25 crore in 2022 and being released, the right arm pacer was sold for ₹20.50 crore to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).

England all-rounder Sam Curran is next on the list and was sold to Punjab Kings in 2023 for ₹18.5 crore. The southpaw has played 46 matches in IPL history, scoring 613 runs and taking 42 wickets.

Cameron Green was purchased by Mumbai Indians (MI) in 2023 for ₹17.5 crore and after a decent year, has been traded to RCB. He has played 16 matches for the team, scoring 452 runs and taking six wickets. The youngster is still in the initial stages of his career and has only played eight T20Is so far.

Ben Stokes is another England all-rounder that received huge bids during the 2023 auction. Stokes was sold for ₹16.25 crore to CSK but was featured in only two matches due to a knee injury. He has made himself unavailable for IPL 2024, owing to workload management, with the World Cup 2024 scheduled just after IPL 2024.

International fast bowlers have always been in demand in the IPL and Chris Morris proved this when he was sold to Rajasthan Royals (RR) for ₹16.25 crore in 2021. The bowling all-rounder however failed to make a mark during the 2021 edition and has not played in the tournament since then.

West Indian player Nicholas Pooran was sold to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for ₹16 crore in 2023, making him the seventh most expensive player in IPL history. The wicketkeeper batter is known for his power hitting skills and is a key player in the team’s batting lineup.

Yuvraj Singh, one of India’s most popular power-hitters was sold to Delhi Daredevils (DD) in 2015 for ₹16 crore. Singh has helped India win key matches during his career and was in demand during his IPL career, representing multiple teams.

Pat Cummins is the only player who has made it to the list twice, having been sold for ₹15.5 crore in 2020 to KKR. The Australian skipper however failed to leave a mark during IPL 2020, taking 12 wickets in 14 matches.

Indian wicket keeper batsmen have always been in demand, be it Dhoni or KL Rahul. Power-hitter Ishan Kishan is another such player and this was evident in 2022 when he was sold to Mumbai Indians in 2022 for ₹15.25 crore.