IPL 2025 Mega Auction: Rishabh Pant to Ben Stokes – Top 10 Most Expensive Buys in IPL Auction History

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Rishabh Pant broke the record as the most expensive player in Indian Premier League (IPL) history after Lucknow Super Giants opened up their coffers to land their man on day 1 of the IPL Mega Auction 2025 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

India wicketkeeper-batter Pant, who was expected to garner a lot of interest in the two-day big auction, triggered a bidding war at the Abadi Al Johar Arena on Sunday (November 24).

Pant pipped Shreyas Iyer (Rs 26.75 crore) to become the costliest buy in IPL's history with a Rs 27 crore winning bid from Lucknow Super Giants, while Venkatesh Iyer was the surprise show-stopper as he was bought back for Rs 23.75 crore by his former franchise Kolkata Knight Riders.

Before the trio breached the Rs 20 Crore-mark, Mitchell Starc had shattered all previous records when Kolkata Knight Riders acquired him for Rs 24.75 crore in the 2024 auction, when the Australian pacer pipped his compatriot Pat Cummins, who was bought for Rs 20.50 Crore by Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Earlier, the record for the most costliest player in IPL auction history was held by England all-rounder Sam Curran, who was bought by Punjab Kings for Rs 18.50 Crore in the 2023 auction.

In the 2025 auction, there was value for bowlers again as Indian duo - pacer Arshdeep Singh and spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, ended up at the Punjab Kings for Rs 18 Crore each after some intense bidding wars.

Several other players also bagged over Rs 12 core in the big auction, featuring Jos Buttler, KL Rahul and the speedsters Josh Hazlewood, Jofra Archer, Trent Bout and Mohammed Siraj. Here is a look at some of the costliest purchase in IPL 2025 Auction:

Most Expensive Buys in IPL 2025 Mega Auction

• Rishabh Pant (Lucknow Super Giants) - Rs 27 Crore
• Shreyas Iyer (Punjab Kings) - Rs 26.75 Crore
• Venkatesh Iyer (Kolkata Knight Riders) - Rs 23.75 Crore
• Arshdeep Singh (Punja Kings) - Rs 18 Crore
• Yuzvendra Chahal (Punjab Kings) - Rs 18 Crore
• Jos Buttler (Gujarat Titans) - Rs 15.75 Crore
• KL Rahul (Delhi Capitals) - Rs 14 Crore
• Trent Boult (Mumbai Indians) - Rs 12.50 Crore
• Josh Hazlewood (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) - Rs 12.50 Crore
• Jofra Archer (Rajasthan Royals) - Rs 12.50 Crore
• Mohammed Siraj (Gujarat Titans) - Rs 12.25 Crore

In the 2023 auction, the demand was for the all-rounders as Australian all-rounder Cameron Green and veteran England all-rounder Ben Stokes landed sums above Rs 16 Crore to make up the top 10 of the most costliest buys in IPL Auctions:

Top 10 Most Expensive Buys in IPL Auction History

1. Rishabh Pant (Lucknow Super Giants) - Rs 27 Crore in IPL 2025 Auction
2. Shreyas Iyer (Punjab Kings) - Rs 26.75 Crore in IPL 2025 Auction
3. Mitchell Starc (Kolkata Knight Riders) - Rs 24.75 Crore in IPL 2024 Auction
4. Venkatesh Iyer (Kolkata Knight Riders) - Rs 23.75 Crore in IPL 2025 Auction
5. Pat Cummins (Sunrisers Hyderabad) - Rs 20.50 Crore in IPL 2024 Auction
6. Sam Curran (Punjab Kings) - Rs 18.50 Crore in IPL 2023 Auction
7. Arshdeep Singh (Punjab Kings) - Rs 18 Crore in IPL 2025 Auction
8. Yuzvendra Chahal (Punjab Kings) - Rs 18 Crore in IPL 2025 Auction
9. Cameron Green (Mumbai Indians) - Rs 17.50 Crore in IPL 2023 Auction
10. Ben Stokes (Chennai Super Kings) - Rs 16.25 Crore in IPL 2023 Auction