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There is no shortage of big spending in IPL franchises in order to sign match winners. But a higher price tag always means higher expectations as well. For IPL 2026, there have been many such big stars
playing for franchises who have been priced more than ₹15 crore but have not been able to deliver consistently. Some could not score runs while others did not make a difference with either their bat or ball as their teams hoped to do much more from them during the tournament's later stages.
The list of expensive players from the best of all times in IPL history includes some of the biggest names in the business of cricket. Here are five such expensive cricketers whose inconsistency is giving teams reasons to wonder about their value in the team.
|
Players |
Price |
|
Rishabh Pant |
₹27 Crore |
|
Cameron Green |
₹25.20 Crore |
|
Nicholas Pooran |
₹21 Crore |
|
Hardik Pandya |
₹16.35 Crore |
|
Suryakumar Yadav |
₹16.35 Crore |
1. Rishabh Pant (Lucknow Super Giants) - ₹27 Crore
Rishabh Pant is the most expensive player to have played in IPL so far, but he has certainly felt the heat. Leading the Lucknow Super Giants, he has made 251 runs in 11 games at an average of 27.89 and a strike rate of 138.67, with a single fifty. His numbers are quite underwhelming given the pressure that he faces in being his team's captain and wicketkeeper in the middle order. With LSG already out of playoff contention, Pant's season has drawn the most attention.
2. Cameron Green (Kolkata Knight Riders) - ₹25.20 Crore
Cameron Green is now the costliest overseas player to ever be bought in IPL as he has been picked by Kolkata Knight Riders. He seems to be improving with each passing match, but his performance till now has not matched the expectations placed on him, given how costly the player is for Kolkata Knight Riders, being valued at ₹25.20 crores. Cameron Green has made 232 runs in ten innings with an average of 33.14 and strike rate of 146.84. With the ball, he has taken four wickets in six innings. Useful numbers, but not game-changing enough.
💰 INR 25.20 Crore 🤯🤯 The third most expensive player in the history of #TATAIPL auction! 🔨 Cameron Green will play for @KKRiders 💜#TATAIPLAuction pic.twitter.com/c0ErBPWHju
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) December 16, 2025
3. Nicholas Pooran (Lucknow Super Giants) - ₹21 Crore
Nicholas Pooran entered the season as one of Lucknow Super Giants' most dangerous batters. Instead, he has endured a prolonged slump. Across 11 innings, he has scored 184 runs at an average of 16.73 and a strike rate of 124.32. His 63 off 21 balls against Mumbai Indians was a reminder of his class, but one standout knock has not been enough to justify his premium retention fee.
4. Hardik Pandya (Mumbai Indians) - ₹16.35 Crore
As captain and all-rounder, Hardik Pandya was supposed to set an example for everyone else. However, in both capacities, his contributions have been subpar. Over eight games, he managed to score 146 runs, averaging 20.86 and hitting at a strike rate of 136.45. He only managed four wickets, frequently giving away over 10 runs an over. Mumbai required match-winning performances, which came few and far between, thus they were left out from the play-off race.
5. Suryakumar Yadav (Mumbai Indians) - ₹16.35 Crore
Suryakumar Yadav has proved himself to be a very consistent batter for Mumbai Indians in previous seasons. This time around, however, he hasn't been able to replicate the same form. He has only managed to score 195 runs in 11 games with an average of 17.73 and strike rate of 144.44. His only half-century has come against Delhi Capitals. For a player expected to anchor and accelerate, those numbers are well below expectations.
