IPL 2025 Mega auction: Most expensive players in history of league ft. Mitchell Starc

Another round of the IPL 2025 mega auction is just around the corner as the franchises will flex their financial muscle and their ability to invest in top-class cricketing talent across the globe.The stage is set for the highly anticipated IPL 2025 Mega Auction as an elite list of 574 players are all set to go under the hammer. The two-day event is scheduled to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on November 24 and 25, 2024, starting at 3:30 PM IST. With 204 slots up for grabs, including 70 for overseas players, franchises will have an exciting pool to choose from.

Foreign stars are always the hottest properties in auctions as they draw huge bidding wars from franchises. In fact, the top five most expensive players in IPL auction history have been all foreign players. SunRisers Hyderabad also retained Heinrich Klaasen for a big prize of Rs 23 crore, making him the most expensive player among the retentions ahead of the IPL auction.

Here is the list of most expensive players in the history of IPL so far-

IPL auction: Players to go under hammer

Mitchell Starc

Australia’s fast bowler Mitchell Starc is currently the most expensive player in IPL history. The star speedster was sold for a whopping price of Rs 24.75 crore to the Kolkata Knight Riders. Starc picked 17 wickets in 14 matches, but earned the Player of the Match honors in the IPL 2024 final in KKR’s title-winning campaign. The left-arm speedster is known for his swing alongside pace and his ability to bowl toe-crushing Yorkers.

Pat Cummins

Australia captain Pat Cummins was once the most expensive player in the history of IPL for the 2nd time after 2018. However, soon after his teammate Mitchell Starc toppled him as Cummins was sold for Rs 20.50 crore. SunRisers Hyderabad splashed the cash to acquire Cummins for captaincy role. The ODI World Cup 2023 winning captain did not disappoint as he led SRH to IPL final after the team was finishing in the bottom half of the table since last two seasons.

Sam Curran

Sam Curran created history by becoming the most expensive player in IPL history during the 2023 auction. The Punjab Kings acquired the services of the English all-rounder after he impressed with his Player of the Tournament-worthy performance in ICC T20 World Cup 2022. He played a crucial role in England’s title-winning campaign in 2022 and draw huge bidding wars ahead of the IPL 2022 auction. He even took up the leadership role for PBKS in IPL 2024 after Shikhar Dhawan’s injury. However, the franchise did not retain him in the lead up to the mega auction.

Cameron Green

The Australians have been the hottest selling properties at auction and the third-most expensive player in IPL history has been Cameron Green. The Mumbai Indians broke their bank for the tall-lanky fast-bowling all-rounder. He was a hot commodity in the auction since he was sold for Rs 17.50 and was traded to Royal Challengers Bengaluru ahead of IPL 2024. However, the all-rounder will not take part in IPL 20

Ben Stokes

The stakes of Ben Stokes skyrocketed in the IPL 2023 auction when he was sold to the Chennai Super Kings for Rs 16.25 crore. Stokes has proven himself to be a match-winner and brought immense value to the team with his all-round skills. He only managed to play a few matches for CSK before the injury ke