The player auction for the 2026 edition of the Indian Premier League is scheduled to happen in Abu Dhabi on December 16. A complete of 359 players will go under the hammer for the available 77 slots in 10 IPL teams. With a few teams searching for complete overhaul, the upcoming auction will see teams spending big bucks on many top players. Here’s a have a look at the most costly player at every IPL auction.
MS Dhoni (CSK, 2008): Within the first-ever IPL auction, Chennai Super Kings signed MS Dhoni for 1.5 million US Dollars. (Picture Credit: AFP)
Andrew Flintoff (CSK, 2009) and Kevin Pietersen (RCB, 2009): Legendary English cricketers Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen were signed for 1.55 million US Dollars each by Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru respectively. (Picture Credit: AFP)
Kieron Pollard (MI, 2010) and Shane Bond (KKR, 2010): In IPL 2010 auction, Mumbai Indians signed Kieron Pollard and Kolkata Knight Riders signed Shane Bond for 750K US Dollars each. (Picture Credit: AFP)
Gautam Gambhir (KKR, 2011): Within the 2011 mega auction, Kolkata Knight Riders signed Gautam Gambhir for two.4 million US Dollars. (Picture Credit: Sportzpics)
Ravindra Jadeja (CSK, 2012): Ravindra Jadeja was up for grabs within the IPL 2012 auction and Chennai Super Kings signed him for two million US Dollars. (Picture Credit: Sportzpics)
Glenn Maxwell (MI, 2013): Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell was signed for 1 million US Dollars by Mumbai Indians in IPL 2013 auction. (Picture Credit: IPL)
Yuvraj Singh (RCB, 2014): Royal Challengers Bengaluru splashed out Rs 14 crore to sign Yuvraj Singh in IPL 2014 auction. (Picture Credit: AFP)
Yuvraj Singh (DC, 2015): Delhi Capitals signed Yuvraj Singh for Rs 16 crore in IPL 2015 auction. (Picture Credit: AFP)
Shane Watson (RCB, 2016): Legendary Australian all-rounder Shane Watson joined Royal Challengers Bengaluru for Rs 9.50 crore in IPL 2016 auction. (Picture Credit: AFP)
Ben Stokes (RPSG, 2017): England’s Ben Stokes joined Rising Pune Super Giants for Rs 14.50 crore within the IPL 2017 auction. (Picture Credit: AFP)
Ben Stokes (RR, 2018): Within the IPL 2018 mega auction, Rajasthan Royals signed England all-rounder Ben Stokes for Rs 12.50 crore. (Picture Credit: AFP)
Jaydev Unadkat (RR, 2019) and Varun Chakaravarthy (PBKS, 2019): In 2019 auction, Rajasthan Royals signed Jaydev Unadkat and Punjab Kings signed Varun Chakaravarthy for Rs 8.40 crore each. (Picture Credit: AFP)
Pat Cummins (KKR, 2020): Within the IPL 2020 auction, Kolkata Knight Riders secured Pat Cummins’ services for Rs 15.50 crore. (Picture Credit: AFP)
Chris Morris (RR, 2021): South African all-rounder Chris Morris was signed for Rs 16.25 crore by Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2021 auction. (Picture Credit: AFP)
Ishan Kishan (MI, 2022): Mumbai Indians signed Indian wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan for Rs 15.25 crore within the IPL 2022 mega auction. (Picture Credit: AFP)
Sam Curran (PBKS, 2023): Within the IPL 2023 mini auction, Punjab Kings signed England all-rounder Sam Curran for Rs 18.50 crore. (Picture Credit: PTI)
Mitchell Starc (KKR, 2024): Left-arm Australian pacer Mitchell Starc was signed for Rs 24.75 crore by Kolkata Knight Riders within the IPL 2024 auction. (Picture Credit: PTI)
Rishabh Pant (LSG, 2025): LSG signed Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant for Rs 27 crore within the IPL 2025 mega auction. (Picture Credit: PTI)