This year’s edition of the Indian Premier League is almost on the horizon. This is that time of the year when friendships are put on hold, and the pride of supporting your favorite team takes precedence. This will be the 15th iteration of the competition, which first began in 2008 and revolutionized domestic cricket as we know it. With a new sponsor at the helm, namely TATA, we are bound for some non-stop cricketing action. Along with a new sponsor, this year also sees the addition of two new teams. Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans are the two brand new franchises that will be vying for the prestigious cup. With the auctions being concluded last month, we can now take a look at the top 10 most expensive IPL players in history.
The list consists of the pre-retained players as well as the new players for whom teams broke the bank and added them to their star-studded rosters.
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10. Rashid Khan and Hardik Pandya
Bought for: Rs. 15 Crore
Team: Gujarat Titans Year: 2022
We begin our list of expensive IPL superstars with a duo who were bought by the newly formed Gujarat Titans this year for Rs. 15 Crore each. The enigmatic all-rounder Hardik Pandya and the magical leg-break bowler Rashid Khan have already bolstered the Titans as a credible threat on paper. In addition to that, their records and form are a testament to the fact that Gujarat Titans is a team to be taken seriously, and they will be looking to make a mark in their debut year.
Hardik Pandya was also announced to be the team captain, leading the likes of Shubman Gill, David Miller, Rashid Khan, and more. Their price tag of 15 Crore places them jointly at the 10th position in our list of top 10 most expensive IPL players of all time.
9. Ishan Kishan
Bought for: Rs. 15.25 Crore
Team: Mumbai Indians Year: 2022
Mumbai Indians went all out his year to buy back Ishan Kishan for a massive sum of 15.25 Crore. At the auction, they faced competitions from the likes of Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Titans. However, Mumbai Indians were ready to bring out the big guns and won the bidding war, making Ishan the most expensive player at this year’s IPL.
Undoubtedly, at only 23 years of age, Ishan’s price tag is an indication that the teams see him as a valuable asset, with the left-handed batsman very much capable of producing match-winning knocks. Ishan Kishan places 9th on our list of top 10 most expensive IPL players of all time.
8. Pat Cummins
Bought for: Rs. 15.50 Crore
Team: Kolkata Knight Riders Year: 2020
Pat Cummins in 2020 was the number 1 fast bowler in the world and rightly so attracted several franchises for his skills. Subsequently, KKR managed to secure him for a price tag of Rs. 15 Crore, making him the most expensive player of IPL 2020. However, he was not able to properly justify his price tag in 2020, bagging just 3 wickets in 10 matches.
This year, Pat Cummins is back in the KKR squad after he was bought for Rs 7.25 Crore and will be looking to add his value to the squad led by Shreyas Iyer. Pat Cummins is the 8th most expensive player in IPL history.
7. Yuvraj Singh
Bought for: Rs. 16 Crore
Team: Delhi Daredevils Year: 2015
Yuvraj Singh in 2015 was bought by Delhi Daredevils for an unprecedented price of Rs. 16 Crore. At the time, Yuvraj Singh who was 33 years old, was not selected for the Indian team. However, the intense bidding war to secure him surprised many. It was mainly due to his previous year’s form when he played for Royal Challengers Bangalore, that enabled the franchises to fight for his signature.
A record-breaking buy in the 2015 edition of IPL, places Yuvraj Singh 7th on the top 10 most expensive player list.
6. Ravindra Jadeja
Bought for: Rs. 16 Crore
Team: Chennai Super Kings Year: 2022
The versatile Ravindra Jadeja was retained by Chennai Super Kings this year for a sum of Rs. 16 Crore. Jadeja has been a mainstay of Chennai Super Kings and with his versatility, he has certainly put the trust in his name for franchises to consider him an integral part of the team. Boasting a 200 match experience, 2386 runs, and 127 wickets in the IPL, seldom can people question the impact he brings to a team. Ravindra Jadeja will be looking to ply his trades once more as he places 6th on our list of the top 10 most expensive IPL players of all time.
5. Rishabh Pant
Bought for: Rs. 16 Crore
Team: Delhi Capitals Year: 2022
Delhi Capitals retained the batsman-keeper Rishabh Pant for Rs 16 Crore, who is also set to captain the side. Rishabh Pant has been in an impressive form, with the most recent display coming off his record-breaking fastest 50 by an Indian in a test match. However, it will be interesting, to say the least how the 24-year-old manages to lead a squad consisting of David Warner, Lungi Ndidi, Axar Patel, and more.
A massive price tag places Rishabh Pant 5th on our list of the top 10 most expensive players in IPL.
4. Rohit Sharma
Bought for: Rs. 16 Crore
Team: Mumbai Indians Year: 2022
Retention of the talismanic Rohit Sharma seemed like a no-brainer for the authorities in charge at Mumbai Indians. With a disappointing campaign last year, Rohit and co. will look to bounce back in the most authoritative way possible. He will be leading the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Kieron Pollard, Suryakumar Yadav, and Ishan Kishan to name a few. With their eyes set on once again returning the glory back to Wankhede Stadium, it will be an exciting competition nonetheless for Mumbai Indians.
Rohit Sharma is the 4th most expensive player of all time in IPL.
3. Chris Morris
Bought for: Rs. 16.25 Crore
Team: Rajasthan Royals Year: 2021
Last year when Chris Morris was bought by the Rajasthan Royals, it turned a lot of heads that Royal Challengers Bangalore let go after an impressive 2020 campaign. Nevertheless, one’s loss is the other gain, and Rajasthan Royals grabbed this opportunity with both hands. He was paired with Jofra Archer as a death bowler and devastating effect.
Chris Morris recently announced his retirement on his Instagram page. He joins the list as the 3rd most overall and the most expensive overseas player in the history of IPL.
2. Virat Kohli
Bought for: Rs. 17 Crore
Team: Royal Challengers Bangalore Year: 2018
Virat Kohli’s retention in 2018 for a whopping sum of Rs. 17 Crore at the time was the most obvious decision. As the captain of the Indian National team and scoring an impressive 2735 runs in international cricket that year alone made it an easy decision for RCB to build the team around Kohli. However, poor performance in 2018 by the team saw them not qualifying for the playoffs and finishing in the bottom half of the table. Virat Kohli ranks as the 2nd most expensive player on our list.
1. KL Rahul
Bought for: Rs. 17 Crore
Team: Lucknow Super Giants Year: 2022
KL Rahul this year headlined the IPL transfers list after being picked by Lucknow Super Giants for a sum of Rs. 17 Crore and will be leading the side this year. Lucknow had the option to pick 3 players ahead of the auction from their pool of available players. Unquestionably, LSG dished out a hefty sum for Rahul whom they see as their franchise player. Boasting an impressive batting average in IPL, Lucknow will be looking for an impressive start in their inaugural campaign.
KL Rahul after this year becomes the most expensive IPL player in history.
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