IPL Auction 2026: List of the Top 10 Most Expensive Players in IPL History
The IPL Auction 2026 created history as bidding wars reached unprecedented heights, reaffirming the Indian Premier League’s status as the world’s richest T20 league. The highlight of the auction was Australian all-rounder Cameron Green, who became the third most expensive player in IPL history after being picked by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for a massive ₹25.20 crore. This article looks at the top 10 most expensive players in IPL history, a key topic for sports current affairs and exam preparation.
Why Cameron Green’s Bid Was Special
The bidding began at ₹2 crore with Mumbai Indians initiating interest. Soon, Rajasthan Royals, KKR, and later Chennai Super Kings (CSK) entered a fierce contest. Once the bid crossed ₹18 crore, additional amounts were directed to the IPL Player Welfare Fund, as per IPL auction rules. Eventually, KKR outbid CSK, sealing the deal at ₹25.20 crore.
Cameron Green’s IPL Performance So Far
| Rank | Player | Price (₹ Crore) | Team | Auction Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rishabh Pant | 27.00 | Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) | IPL 2025 |
| 2 | Shreyas Iyer | 26.75 | Punjab Kings (PBKS) | IPL 2025 |
| 3 | Cameron Green | 25.20 | Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) | IPL 2026 |
| 4 | Mitchell Starc | 24.75 | Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) | IPL 2024 |
| 5 | Venkatesh Iyer | 23.75 | Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) | IPL 2025 |
| 6 | Pat Cummins | 20.50 | Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) | IPL 2024 |
| 7 | Sam Curran | 18.50 | Punjab Kings (PBKS) | IPL 2023 |
| 8 | Arshdeep Singh | 18.00 | Punjab Kings (PBKS) | IPL 2025 |
| 9 | Yuzvendra Chahal | 18.00 | Punjab Kings (PBKS) | IPL 2025 |
| 10 | Cameron Green | 17.50 | Mumbai Indians (MI) | IPL 2023 |
Highest Auction Buys (Till IPL 2026)
1. Rishabh Pant – ₹27.00 crore
Lucknow Super Giants (IPL 2025)
2. Shreyas Iyer – ₹26.75 crore
Punjab Kings (IPL 2025)
3. Cameron Green – ₹25.20 crore
Kolkata Knight Riders (IPL 2026)
4. Mitchell Starc – ₹24.75 crore
Kolkata Knight Riders (IPL 2024)
5. Venkatesh Iyer – ₹23.75 crore
Kolkata Knight Riders (IPL 2025)
6. Pat Cummins – ₹20.50 crore
Sunrisers Hyderabad (IPL 2024)
7. Sam Curran – ₹18.50 crore
Punjab Kings (IPL 2023)
8. Arshdeep Singh – ₹18.00 crore
Punjab Kings (IPL 2025)
9. Yuzvendra Chahal – ₹18.00 crore
Punjab Kings (IPL 2025)
10. Cameron Green – ₹17.50 crore
Mumbai Indians (IPL 2023)
1. Rise of All-Rounders
Players like Cameron Green, Sam Curran, and Pat Cummins command premium prices due to their dual skill sets.
2. Aggressive Spending by KKR and PBKS
KKR features four times in the top 10 list
Punjab Kings have invested heavily in Indian core players
3. Growing Value of Indian Players
Indian stars like Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, Arshdeep Singh, and Chahal dominate the top ranks, reflecting teams’ preference for long-term Indian talent.
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