The Indian Premier League (IPL) auction room continues to be the most electrifying stage in world cricket. Every year, franchises dive into fierce bidding wars to secure players capable of turning the tide
in their favour.
The IPL Auction 2026 was no different, delivering thrilling moments as teams fought tooth and nail to snag marquee names. From record-breaking sums to surprising underdog triumphs, these auctions reveal the passion and strategy behind building IPL champions.
Over the years, IPL franchises have made headline-grabbing purchases that not only showcased their ambition but also shifted the cricketing landscape. These mega signings offered a window into how much teams value talent and their appetite to dominate the world's biggest T20 league. This story dives into the priciest buys by each team at the auctions, highlighting players who changed the game for their clubs and made fans and analysts sit up in wonder.
This special review covers only the highest-priced auction buys for each franchise, excluding retentions, trades, and the early icon players from 2008 to 2010. These deals collectively narrate the high stakes and drama that define the IPL auction process, demonstrating how franchises approach talent acquisition with strategy and sometimes spectacular audacity.
| Team | Season | Player | Nationality | Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chennai Super Kings (CSK) | 2023 | Ben Stokes | England | ₹16.25 crore |
| Delhi Capitals (DC) | 2016 | Yuvraj Singh | India | ₹16 crore |
| Gujarat Titans (GT) | 2025 | Jos Buttler | England | ₹15.75 crore |
| Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) | 2024 | Mitchell Starc | Australia | ₹24.75 crore |
| Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) | 2025 | Rishabh Pant | India | ₹27.75 crore |
| Mumbai Indians (MI) | 2023 | Cameron Green | Australia | ₹17.5 crore |
| Punjab Kings (PBKS) | 2025 | Shreyas Iyer | India | ₹26.75 crore |
| Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) | 2021 | Kyle Jamieson | New Zealand | ₹15 crore |
| Rajasthan Royals (RR) | 2021 | Chris Morris | South Africa | ₹16.25 crore |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) | 2024 | Pat Cummins | Australia | ₹20.5 crore |
Chennai Super Kings' headline purchase of Ben Stokes at ₹16.25 crore symbolised their desire to blend experience with all-round excellence. The England star's acquisition brought immense balance to their squad and electrified fans. Delhi Capitals' bold buy of Indian stalwart Yuvraj Singh for ₹16 crore during the 2016 auction reflected a blend of skill and star appeal that still lingers in IPL lore.
Gujarat Titans banked on the explosive English batting of Jos Buttler, securing him for ₹15.75 crore in 2025, a price tag worth every run he's contributed. Kolkata Knight Riders made an audacious splash, investing ₹24.75 crore in Australian speedster Mitchell Starc, a figure that shook the auction hall and underscored their ambition to dominate with pace and firepower.
Dominating the auction charts, Lucknow Super Giants stunned the world by splashing a record ₹27.75 crore on India's Rishabh Pant in 2025, a move signalling the emphasis on young, dynamic talent to lead their charge. Mumbai Indians also flexed their muscles by securing Australia's Cameron Green for ₹17.5 crore - a testament to their eye for multi-dimensional players.
Punjab Kings' strategic gamble on Shreyas Iyer for ₹26.75 crore further illustrated their readiness to back proven Indian talent, while Royal Challengers Bangalore found value in Kiwi pace ace Kyle Jamieson for ₹15 crore. Rajasthan Royals' ₹16.25 crore bid for the all-rounder Chris Morris and Sunrisers Hyderabad's high-stakes purchase of Australia's Pat Cummins for ₹20.5 crore completed this elite group of expensive buys.
These blockbuster signings revealed a common theme: IPL franchises recognise that investing heavily in the right player can define their fortunes in the fiercely competitive tournament.
These purchases represent far more than price tags - they embody strategic vision, fan aspirations, and the relentless pursuit of glory.
