Who Fetched the Highest Price? The Most Expensive Player in IPL 2024

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the most renowned cricket tournaments globally, boasting immense popularity. Beyond its widespread appeal, it holds the distinction of being the most lucrative T20 league globally. IPL brings together top players from various corners of the world to India, forming a captivating spectacle for cricket enthusiasts worldwide. The IPL has witnessed some jaw-dropping auctions over the years, with teams splurging big bucks on star players. Check out who the highest-paid player in IPL 2024 is. 

At the IPL player auction held in December 2023, Australia’s Mitchell Starc became the most expensive player in IPL history when he was bought for Rs 24.75 crore by Kolkata Knight Riders. That fee surpassed the Rs 18.15 crore paid for England's Sam Curran in 2022. As the most expensive player in IPL 2024, Starc will be expected to play a pivotal role in helping the Knights win their third title. 33-year-old Starc, who was a part of Australia’s 2023 ODI World Cup winning team, last played the IPL in 2015. The left-arm pacer has taken 74 wickets in 60 T20Is.

Image credit: X (ICC)

Meanwhile, Starc’s fellow Australian teammate Pat Cummins was sold to Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 20.50 crore, making him the second most-expensive player in IPL 2024 and also in IPL history.

In addition to Starc and Cummins, the likes of New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell and West Indies' Rovman Powell also secured substantial deals in the IPL 2024 auction. Mitchell fetched a hefty sum of Rs 14 crore as he joined the Chennai Super Kings, ranking as the third-costliest player acquisition in the auction. Powell, on the other hand, clinched a deal with Rajasthan Royals, bagging Rs 7.40 crore in the process. Travis Head, player of the match in the World Cup 2023 final, earned Rs 6.8 crore from the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Among the Indian players, pacer Harshal Patel was sold to Punjab Kings for Rs 11.75 crore. Meanwhile, uncapped Sameer Rizvi earned a big cheque of Rs 8.40 crore from CSK. Rizvi was in the spotlight following his remarkable performance in the UP T20 League 2023. Representing the Kanpur Superstars, the 20-year-old scored 455 runs across nine innings, which included two centuries. Rizvi had also previously demonstrated his ability to unleash powerful strokes during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2023. He smashed a total of 18 sixes in the league. 

IPL 2023 highest-paid player

In IPL 2023, England all-rounder Sam Curran made headlines by becoming the most expensive player in IPL 2023, which also made him the most expensive player in IPL history at the time. The Punjab Kings secured his services for a huge Rs 18.15 crore. Curran's performances in the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia made him one of the most sought-after players at the auction. He was the Player of the Tournament at the World Cup for picking up 13 wickets, including a 3 for 12 in the final.

Cameron Green became the second most expensive player of the 2023 season after Mumbai Indians signed him for an amount of Rs 17.50 crore. Meanwhile, Ben Stokes was acquired by CSK for Rs 16.25 crore, following his crucial role in England's victorious campaign in the T20 World Cup 2022. It's worth noting that Stokes' acquisition by CSK remains the most expensive signing ever made by the franchise.

Highest-paid player in IPL 2022

A mega auction was organised ahead of the IPL 2022 season. At the mega auction, wicket-keeper batsman Ishan Kishan emerged as the most expensive player. Despite being released by Mumbai Indians, the franchise spared no expense in bringing back Kishan, ultimately securing his services for a staggering Rs 15.25 crore.

Deepak Chahar, bought by CSK for Rs 14 crore, was the second most-expensive player in IPL 2022, followed by Shreyas Iyer, whose services were acquired by KKR for a massive Rs 12.25 crore.