The Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the highest-paying cricket tournaments globally, attracting top talent from all around the world. Run by the richest cricket board in the world, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the T20 tournament has been played each year since 2008.
Each IPL season is preceded by an auction where each franchise participates to strengthen their squads by engaging in a bidding war to acquire the services of various players.
Over the years, several players have earned substantial sums from the tournament. MS Dhoni was the most expensive player in the 2018 auction when Chennai Super Kings spent Rs 9.5 crore to acquire his services. In 2011, Gautam Gambhir was acquired by Kolkata Knight Riders for a significant sum of Rs 14.9 crore. Delhi Daredevils spent a massive Rs 16 crore in the 2015 auction to secure the services of left-handed swashbuckling batsman Yuvraj Singh. In more recent auctions, Kolkata Knight Riders paid Rs 15.5 crore for Pat Cummins in 2020, Rajasthan Royals shelled out Rs 16.25 crore for Chris Morris in 2021, and Punjab Kings spent Rs 18.5 crore for Sam Curran in 2023. However, the 2025 IPL auction made history by witnessing the most expensive signing in the tournament’s history.
Most expensive player in IPL 2024
In 2024, Australian speedster Mitchell Starc set a new benchmark in IPL history by becoming the most expensive player ever signed in the tournament. Shah Rukh Khan co-owned franchise Kolkata Knight Riders made headlines by spending an unprecedented Rs 24.75 crore to acquire Starc’s services.
This deal marked Mitchell Starc’s comeback to the cricket tournament (Indian Premier League) after an eight-year break. Initially criticized for conceding too many runs, his performance eventually improved as the season progressed. Starc delivered a crucial performance when it mattered most, producing a stellar spell for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2024 qualifier against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Kolkata Knight Riders won the match by eight wickets and secured their spot in the final. Starc dismissed three batters in the powerplay: Travis Head, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Shahbaz Ahmed. His effort earned him the Player of the Match award. In the ongoing IPL season, Starc has picked up 15 wickets in 13 matches.
Other expensive players in IPL 2024
Pat Cummins emerged as the second-most expensive player in IPL 2022, securing a whopping Rs 20.50 crore deal with Sunrisers Hyderabad. Following Cummins is Daryl Mitchell, who clinched a Rs 14 crore contract with Chennai Super Kings, making him the third highest-paid player this season. Harshal Patel ranks fourth with a Rs 11.75 crore deal with Punjab Kings, while Alzarri Joseph comes in fifth, bagging a Rs 11.50 crore contract with Royal Challengers Bangalore. The list continues with Spencer Johnson, Sameer Rizvi, Rilee Rossouw, Rovman Powell, and Shahrukh Khan, rounding off the top 10 highest-paid players in IPL 2024.
